John Kerry Emphasizes U.S. Support for Allies in the Middle East Against Iran

John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the United States is helping its allies in the Middle East to defend themselves against any actions supported by Iran. The statements made by Kerry were reported by the Associated Press and France Press on Thursday, July 25, following his conversation with the Saudi Foreign Minister. Kerry also mentioned that he will travel to the Persian Gulf on August 3 (12 Mordad) to discuss the comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He stated, 'I will have a meeting with all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to provide them with complete information and answer any questions they may have.' Iran and the P5+1 countries, consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, reached a nuclear agreement on Tuesday after about two years of negotiations at the ministerial level, which limits Tehran's nuclear program and leads to the lifting of sanctions on Iran. According to Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Kerry's meeting with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council will take place in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Al-Jubeir also advised the Islamic Republic to use the economic benefits from the nuclear agreement for its own people and not for 'adventurism in the region.' He then warned, 'If Iran wants to create unrest in the region, we will consider ourselves committed to responding decisively.' Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have soured in recent months, particularly regarding developments in Yemen. Tehran supports the Shiite Houthi rebels, while Riyadh is attempting to remove the Houthis from control through a military campaign in Yemen.