This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31732810

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iran nuclear talks: John Kerry meets Gulf leaders in Riyadh US tries to reassure Gulf over nuclear talks with Iran
(1 day later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting Gulf leaders in Riyadh on Wednesday to address concerns over a nuclear deal with Iran. The US will continue to keep an eye on "destabilising" acts by Iran, despite moves towards a nuclear deal, Secretary of State John Kerry has said.
The visit comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly warned against such a deal in a speech before the US Congress on Tuesday. Mr Kerry made the comments on a visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh, where he sought to ease concerns among Gulf nations about the talks.
Current negotiations, Mr Netanyahu said, would pave the way towards nuclear weapons for Iran. Gulf states are worried about Iran's influence in the region, and fear a deal would ease pressure on Tehran.
A framework agreement with Iran is meant to be in place by 31 March.A framework agreement with Iran is meant to be in place by 31 March.
Mr Kerry will meet the new Saudi monarch, King Salman, and hold separate talks with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Like Israel, some Gulf states fear Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop weapons. Iran's backing of Shia militias in Yemen, Syria and Iraq also causes concern.
The Sunni-ruled Gulf states are concerned about Tehran's suspected ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons and its growing influence in the region. But Mr Kerry said a nuclear agreement would not be part of a "grand bargain" with Iran.
Mr Kerry, who flew to Riyadh after another round of nuclear talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Switzerland, will reassure them that a deal with Iran will not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons, US officials say. "Even as we engage in these discussions with Iran around this programme, we will not take our eye off Iran's destabilising actions in places like Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and the Arabian peninsula, Yemen particularly", Mr Kerry said.
Mr Netanyahu used his speech before the US Congress to deliver a strong warning against what he called a "bad deal". He described Iran as not trustworthy and a danger to the world, not just Israel. Sunni-controlled Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran have often found themselves backing rival factions in some of the region's bloody conflicts.
Negotiations with Iran as they were, he said, were not preventing, but paving the way for Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. Speaking alongside Mr Kerry, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia was concerned by Iran's involvement in the operation by Iraqi forces and Shia militias to retake the city of Tikrit from Islamic State.
"The situation in Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about. Iran is taking over the country," he said.
Mr Kerry's visit comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly warned against a deal with Iran in a speech before the US Congress on Tuesday.
Current negotiations, Mr Netanyahu said, would pave the way towards nuclear weapons for Iran.
US President Barack Obama said the speech, which Mr Netanyahu gave after being invited by Republican leaders without White House consultation, contained nothing new and offered "no viable alternative".US President Barack Obama said the speech, which Mr Netanyahu gave after being invited by Republican leaders without White House consultation, contained nothing new and offered "no viable alternative".
Together with the other permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, the US is trying to negotiate a deal with Tehran that offers the lifting of sanctions in return for Iran curbing its nuclear ambitions.Together with the other permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, the US is trying to negotiate a deal with Tehran that offers the lifting of sanctions in return for Iran curbing its nuclear ambitions.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is for energy purposes only and says it is not trying to develop weapons-grade uranium.Iran insists its nuclear programme is for energy purposes only and says it is not trying to develop weapons-grade uranium.
The two sides are working to a self-imposed deadline for a framework agreement by the end of March, with more details to be discussed before a final agreement by the end of June.The two sides are working to a self-imposed deadline for a framework agreement by the end of March, with more details to be discussed before a final agreement by the end of June.
Beyond the nuclear talks with Iran, the US would continue to confront "Iranian expansion" and "aggressiveness," a senior US official said in a reference to Iran's growing influence in the region, a concern highlighted by Mr Netanyahu and shared by the Gulf countries.
Mr Kerry would reiterate US support for efforts at mediation in Yemen, the official said, and he is also expected to address the situation in Syria and the fight against Islamic State militants.