Saudi Arabia's Support for Nuclear Agreement: One of Our Problems with Iran Has Decreased

Following the Saudi king's meeting with the U.S. President, Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, emphasized the kingdom's support for the nuclear agreement with Iran, stating, "We now have one less problem in dealing with this country." On Friday, September 4, he added that Saudi Arabia can now focus more on Iran's "malicious activities in the region." These remarks came after King Salman of Saudi Arabia met with President Barack Obama in Washington. According to Reuters, Adel al-Jubeir stated that Saudi Arabia is satisfied with the assurances given by Mr. Obama regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran. The Saudi Foreign Minister also mentioned that the kingdom now believes this agreement will contribute to the security and stability of the Middle East. According to Mr. Jubeir, the U.S. President assured King Salman during their meeting that the nuclear agreement prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, including inspections of Iran's military and suspicious facilities, and that if the Islamic Republic violates it, sanctions against Iran will be reinstated. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been Iran's main regional rival on various issues such as the Syrian, Yemeni, and Iraqi crises. Gulf Arab countries had previously expressed their support for the nuclear agreement with Iran but simultaneously expressed concerns that the Islamic Republic might use the funds gained after the lifting of sanctions to fuel instability in the region. In this context, Iran was one of the focal points of discussion between the Saudi king and Barack Obama.