Middle East/North Africa

Obama, Saudi king to ‘consult regularly’ on Iran

President Obama called King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to share details of the initial nuclear agreement with Iran, the White House said late Wednesday.

Obama reaffirmed “the importance of Iran following through on its commitments,” according to a White House readout of the call.

{mosads}The White House said that Obama and Abdullah agreed to “consult regularly,” on the P5+1 negotiations, adding that Obama “reiterated the firm commitment of the United States to our friends and allies in the Gulf.”

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia offered cautious support for the U.S.-backed deal.

“This agreement could be a first step towards a comprehensive solution for Iran’s nuclear program, if there are good intentions,” the Saudi government said in a statement, according to the Agence France-Presse.

With that statement, Israel was left as the only vocal foe of the preliminary draft to loosen sanctions in exchange for a freeze on parts of Iran’s nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced the deal, saying Israel would not be bound by the agreement.

“This agreement has made the world a much more dangerous place,” he said Sunday.

“Israel is not bound by this agreement,” Netanyahu added. “We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapons capability.”