United States Secretary of State John Kerry is in Saudi Arabia where he is trying to reassure state leaders who are increasingly concerned regarding the ongoing Iranian nuclear program. While the White House and Mr. Kerry played down this week’s congressional address by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, it appears that the prime minister is correct and Israel’s neighbors are no less concerned regarding Iran. Mr. Netanyahu stressed to American decision-makers in his address that the Iranian threat is a great deal larger than just being an existential threat against Israel.

Kerry flew to Saudi Arabia after his latest round of nuclear talks in Europe. Kerry is meeting with new Saudi Arabia King Salman as well as hoping to allay the fears of leaders of the Gulf States. The senior US emissary will reassure the Arab leaders that Washington will not permit Iran to become a nuclear power. It would appear at present, they are more inclined to believe Mr. Netanyahu’s threat assessment than that of Washington and Mr. Kerry, who continue to seek to play down Tehran’s threat to the region and Western world.

Kerry on Wednesday twitted “Glad to see King Salman again. Continued our talks on US-Saudi Arabia relationship, efforts against violent extremism”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)