Obama seeks to reassure Arab allies over Iran. What are your thoughts about this?

CAMP DAVID, Md. — The proposed nuclear deal with Iran includes stringent inspections to make sure the Iranians do not pursue nuclear weapons in secret, President Obama told Arab allies Thursday, the president and officials said.

Speaking after a daylong series of meetings with officials from six Gulf nations, Obama said he also pledged to work with them to resist Iran's "destabilization activities" throughout the region, whether there's a nuclear deal or not.

"I was very explicit that the United States will stand by our (Arab) partners against external attacks," Obama told reporters who gathered at Camp David presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains.

While the meetings also dealt with the threat of the Islamic State and civil wars in Syria, Libya and Yemen, the topic of Iran dominated Obama's talks with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

While promoting the prospects of an Iran nuclear agreement, Obama said he told his Arab partners that there would not be a reduction in sanctions until the Iranians prove they will comply with the agreement.

Regardless of whether there's a nuclear deal, Iran still poses a threat to the region, Obama said. He pledged to work with other countries to resist Iranian aggression but said he would also welcome a reformed Iran into the community of nations.

"None of our nations have an interest in an open-ended conflict with Iran," Obama said, adding that "we welcome an Iran that plays a responsible role."

Obama said he reaffirmed the United States' "ironclad" commitment to the security of its Gulf allies and will increase its defense assistance with more joint military exercises and stepped-up training. The United States will also streamline the delivery of weapons systems, including missile defense technology, Obama said.

The president called for new governments in Syria and Libya and pledged to help maintain the cease-fire in Yemen and beat back violent extremism throughout the region.

Obama also said the group agreed to hold a similar meeting next year.


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The countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council have criticized the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran and are also seeking U.S. defense assistance against what they call Tehran's aggression throughout the region.

Obama, who scheduled this summit after announcing the framework of an Iran deal, said the proposed agreement would make the region safer by blocking Tehran's path to a nuclear weapon.

Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, said the president and his guests also discussed ways to contain violent extremism throughout the Middle East, maritime and border security, and the need to improve human rights throughout the region.

Rhodes called it "a broad strategic discussion," adding that Obama stressed the inspections included in the Iran deal.

"We do not want to see a nuclear arms race in what is already the most volatile part of the world," Rhodes said. The group also talked about the precise way in which sanctions might be reduced. Negotiators are trying to put together the final details of an agreement, and they face a June 30 deadline.

Officials in the Gulf countries have said they may seek nuclear programs of their own if Iran is allowed continue enriching uranium under the proposed agreement.

After the meetings, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir of Saudi Arabia said his country will be monitoring the nuclear talks with Iran. "We will follow the talks and see before we can judge in terms of whether or not the Iranians will do what it takes to reach a deal," he said.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations have their share of critics in the United States who cited human rights issues.

As Obama prepared to meet with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, 45 members of the U.S. Congress sent the president a letter urging him to press his guests on "the suppression of civil, political, and religious rights within these countries."

In a pre-summit interview with the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Obama said he, too, is concerned about Iran's support of terrorism and its backing of armed forces in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

The "comprehensive deal" will "prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which I strongly believe is the best way to ensure the security of the region," Obama said.