Doha: Gulf Arab states are welcoming the nuclear deal negotiated between Iran and world powers but are seeking further assurances about how to counter Iranian assertiveness in the region.
Speaking for the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, Qatar’s foreign minister said Monday that the bloc had been pleased by a presentation of the agreement from US Secretary of State John Kerry. On that basis, he said the council welcomed the deal.
Kerry had come to Doha seeking to ease concerns about the regional implications of the deal. He said the US would continue to expand security cooperation with the Gulf states in order to counter any destabilising activities from Iran or others.
Among the steps under discussion are developing a ballistic missile defense capability, expediting arms transfers and special forces training, he said.