IRAN-NUCLEAR/USA-GULF KERRY NEWSER US, Gulf states plan to counter destabilising acts in the region - Kerry

Record ID: 145265

  • Title: IRAN-NUCLEAR/USA-GULF KERRY NEWSER US, Gulf states plan to counter destabilising acts in the region - Kerry
  • Date: 3rd August 2015
  • Summary: DOHA, QATAR (AUGUST 3, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** NEWS CONFERENCE PODIUM, U.S. AND QATARI FLAGS QATARI SECURITY STANDING AT ENTRANCE TO CONFERENCE ROOM U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY AND QATARI FOREIGN MINISTER KHALED AL ATTIYAH WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING: "Once fully implem
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Qatar
  • Country: Qatar
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACPRV7NK5D0XMUUQIV7EAI89LW
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The United States and Gulf Arab allies are cooperating to check destabilisation in the region, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday (August 3), in apparent recognition of their worries that Iran's nuclear deal will deepen its influence among Arabs.
    Kerry said after meeting fellow foreign ministers from the six energy-exporting countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Qatar that he and they agreed that once fully implemented, the accord would contribute to the region's security.
    "Once fully implemented the JCPOA (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) contributes to the region's long-term security including by preventing Iran from developing or acquiring a military nuclear capability," Kerry told reporters.
    Despite their fears that the regional balance of power may be tilting towards Tehran, Qatar's foreign minister said the Gulf Arab nations supported the Iran nuclear deal as the best available option.
    "This option was the most appropriate option available and it is to resolve the question of Iran's nuclear weapons through dialogue and this is what has happened thanks to the great efforts of the United States of America and its allies in this issue," said Khaled al Attiyah.
    He said the GCC nations were "confident that what they (the Americans) have done will make this region safer and more stable."
    Most Gulf Arab states worry that Iran's July 14 accord with the United States and other big powers will usher in detente between Tehran and Washington and embolden the Islamic Republic to support paramilitary allies in the region.
    Last month, six world powers agreed to lift sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its uranium enrichment programme, which the West suspects was aimed at developing an atomic bomb but which Tehran says is for peaceful energy only.
    Kerry said the United States intends "to build an even stronger, more enduring and more strategic partnership with particular focus on our cooperative counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and also on our cooperation in countering the destabilising activities taking place in the region."
    He said the ministers also "discussed for example our work on an integrated ballistic missile defence capability and expediting certain arms transfers."
    Additional U.S. cooperation with Gulf states would include intelligence-sharing and special forces training.
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