Obama seeks to reassure Gulf allies over Iran

President Obama, speaking at the close of a summit with six Arab nations in Riyadh, said Thursday that he reassured Gulf leaders that closer ties between the U.S. and Iran over a nuclear deal would not undermine Washington's vigilance over Tehran's destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Obama acknowledged that the Arab leaders expressed concern that in the wake of the nuclear agreement Iran would "feel emboldened to acdtive more provocatively in the region."

Obama says he told the council that Washington has a "dual track" when it comes to Tehran.

"We have to be effective in our defenses and hold Iran to account where it is acting in ways that are contrary to international rules and norms," he said. "but we also have to have the capacity to enter into a dialogue to reduce tensions and to identify ways in which the more reasonable forces inside of Iran can negotiate with the countries in the region, with its neighbors, so that we don't see an escalation of proxy fights across the region."

Moreover, he said, consultations like the GCC summit help everyone  know "what each party is doing."

King Salman, speaking first in Arabic at the end of the formal meeting in Riyadh, called the talks "constructive and fruitful." The meeting was a follow up to similar talks by the GCC at Camp David last year.

The bitter divide between Sunni and Shia Islam is a common thread on the key security issues raised at the meeting. The Sunni-ruled GCC countries — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain — are skeptical of the Obama's outreach to Iran, which is Shia, and want to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad, who belongs to a Shia sect.

Obama thanked the GCC countries for support of the Iran nuclear deal, which he said "cut off every single one of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon." But he said the United States continues to have "serious concerns" about Iran's behavior in the region.

“None of our nations have an interest in conflict with Iran,” Obama said.

In the fight against the Islamic State, Obama said the leaders agreed to "build an even stronger partnership between our nations." He said they "remain united" against the extremist group and added that the GCC pledged to continue to increase the resources of its countries dedicated to that fight.

He vowed to use "all elements of our power" to deter external aggression against the Gulf allies, and noted the training of the Special Forces of Arab allies to help in the fight against the Islamic State.

On Syria, he said the ceasefire between Syrian rebels and Assad's government is under "tremendous strain," and said the GCC partners agree with the U.S. on the need for a "political transition away from Assad."

Underscoring the national security thrust of the meeting, Obama was joined by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and CIA Director John Brennan.