After US defense secretary’s visit, Riyadh puts aside reservations, expresses support for nuclear accord
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister expressed support for the Iran nuclear deal Thursday, telling reporters it appeared to contain the provisions needed to curtail Iran’s ability to obtain an atomic weapon.
Adel al-Jubeir’s remarks were the most favorable so far from the kingdom, which has been skeptical of the US-led deal struck earlier this month between world powers and Iran, Saudi’s regional rival.
Shortly after the deal was signed, al-Jubeir warned, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take whatever measures necessary to protect its security.”
At the time, al-Jubeir added, in a remark reminiscent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “There are two things over which we do not negotiate: our faith and our security.”
Indeed, for some Gulf states, the fight against Iran is no less about faith than it is about security. Gulf Arab editorials often refer to the Iranian threat in religious terms, as a battle between Shiite and Sunni Islam. There is also often a pronounced ethnic element — a perceived struggle between Persians and Arabs.
But despite these tensions and his earlier remarks, al-Jubeir seemed to take a more positive view of the nuclear accord during the press conference on Thursday.
This change may be particularly problematic for Netanyahu, perhaps the most vocal critic of the nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia’s realignment on the issue leaves Jerusalem with one less ally in its strident opposition to the agreement.
The kingdom, al-Jubeir said, has been reassured by Washington while consultations continue about the deal.
He said it allows for effective inspections, including of military sites, and the possibility of snap-back sanctions.
Al-Jubeir, who visited Washington in mid-July, said the Saudis are “currently in talks with the American government regarding these details, but it (the deal) generally seems to have achieved these objectives.”
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited the kingdom on Wednesday.
As reported by The Times of Israel