Saudi FM 'ready to engage' Biden on matter

Jason Ditz 

Posted onDecember 6, 2020CategoriesNewsTagsBiden, Iran, Saudi Arabia

When the Obama Administration reached the P5+1 nuclear deal with Iran, among the biggest opponents was Saudi Arabia. With President-elect Joe Biden expected to rejoin the process, the Saudis are stepping forward again.

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan is warning that any more could only be sustainable if Biden consults with the Gulf Arab states before making any move to rejoin the Iran deal. He added he is “ready to engage” when Biden takes office.

The incoming administration hasn’t commented, but there are reasons to doubt this happening. The talks would be high risk for little reward, as the Saudis are almost certain to remain opposed to the deal, and the US oughtn’t give the impression they need a Saudi imprimatur to make the move.

The new administration may feel it is only courteous to keep the Saudis in the loop, but would want to make clear they aren’t asking permission. This is particularly true in the case of an early deal, as Biden will want to stake out a more independent foreign policy than his predecessor.

https://news.antiwar.com/2020/12/06/saudi-arabia-us-must-consult-gulf-states-before-returning-to-iran-nuclear-deal/