Saudi prince, Trump see Tehran as threat
Washington, March 15: Saudi Arabia has hailed a “historical turning point” in US-Saudi relations after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the two leaders’ shared view that Iran posed a regional security threat.
The meeting on Tuesday appeared to signal a meeting of theminds on many issues between Mr Trump and Prince Mohammed, in a marked difference from Riyadh’s often fraught relationship with the Obama administration, especially in the wake of the 2015Iran nuclear deal.
“This meeting is considered a historical turning point inrelations between both countries and which had passed through a period of divergence of views on many issues,” a senior adviserto Prince Mohammed said in a statement.
“But the meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries inpolitical, military, security and economic issues,” the adviser said.
Saudi Arabia had viewed with unease the administration of Mr Obama, whom they felt considered Riyadh’s alliance with Washington less important than negotiating the Iran nuclear deal. Riyadh and other Gulf allies see in Mr Trump a strong president who will shore up Washington’s role as their main strategic partner and help contain Riyadh’s adversary Iran in a regioncentral to US Security and energy interests, regional analysts said. The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as “very dangerous”, the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on “the danger of Iran’s regional expansionist activities”. The White House has said the deal was not in the best interest of the United States. Iran denies interference in Arab countries. The meeting was the first since Mr Trump’s inauguration with the prince, who is leading the kingdom’s efforts to revivestate finances by diversifying economy.