Saudi Arabia: "Biden to Consult Gulf States on Restoring Nuclear Deal with Iran"

Saudi Foreign Minister: "Obama's Iran Nuclear Deal Only Bred Regional Distrust and Neglect"

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] Saudi Arabia has asserted that if the next U.S. administration seeks to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), it must consult with Gulf countries.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated to AFP on the 5th (local time), "We expect sufficient consultation with neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia during the Iran nuclear deal negotiation process."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President-elect Joe Biden has stated during the election campaign that he intends to restore the nuclear deal made with Iran during the Barack Obama administration.

Prince Faisal emphasized, "The nuclear deal did not involve Middle Eastern countries, resulting in distrust and neglect regarding regional security and issues," adding, "A sustainable agreement is only possible through such (neighboring countries') consultations."

He further noted that the existing nuclear deal does not address Iran's ballistic missile development and support for armed groups, saying, "The new nuclear deal must go beyond the previous one."

Prince Faisal added that although there has been no contact attempt from the next U.S. administration yet, he is ready to discuss with Biden once he takes office.

During the Obama administration's process of reaching the nuclear deal with Iran, Saudi Arabia, hostile to Iran, strongly opposed it. The nuclear deal caused the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia during the Obama administration to become more distant than before.

In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions against Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.