Iran's Gulf rivals seek US pledge on security

Gulf states are looking for a US commitment to contain Iran in the aftermath of a nuclear accord as they press for weapons sales that would give them a "qualitative advantage" in their stand-off with the Islamic Republic, according to a senior official from the region.

Gulf leaders are set to meet President Barack Obama at Camp David on May 14 for a summit designed to allay Sunni Arab rulers' concerns over nuclear negotiations.

The senior Gulf official said Arab states were seeking a memorandum of understanding on regional security. He referred to it as a "containment statement and arrangement" and "something short of a treaty".

Arab states will want this translated into concrete steps, he added, including through arms sales that give them a military edge over Iran. He acknowledged that the regional demands would not all be met, but said a mere "photo-op" would be a disappointment.

Led by Saudi Arabia, Gulf states are adopting what the senior official said was a "polite" attitude towards the accord, which they expect to be concluded by late June. He said the Gulf was not about to do a "Netanyahu", in reference to the public demonstration of discontent by Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's premier.

But he made clear the attitude was driven by efforts to maintain good relations with their US ally, and did not reflect approval of a nuclear deal they felt would embolden Iran.

Tehran and world powers reached a "framework" agreement over its nuclear programme in March, and have set themselves a mid-year deadline to achieve a final deal. Important gaps still remain between the two sides over sanctions, nuclear research and inspections.

The US administration called the Camp David summit of Gulf leaders as part of its efforts to reassure allies about the implications of its nuclear diplomacy with Iran. Some governments in the region fear that Washington will abandon them in the interests of a broader rapprochement with Iran once a deal has been signed.

As part of that effort at reassurance, the US has resumed military aid to Egypt and has supported Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen despite White House reservations about the wisdom of the intervention. The US also sent an aircraft carrier last week to the coast of Yemen amid reports that Iranian ships were trying to deliver arms to Houthi rebels there.

US officials insist they will continue to oppose Iranian efforts to expand its regional influence through the support of groups such as Hizbollah in Lebanon.

However, Mr Obama has also talked about trying to create a new "equilibrium" within the region, and US officials believe that this will ultimately require some sort of dialogue between Iran and regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia.

The US is already in the process of a programme of arms sales to Gulf countries. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks military spending, says Saudi Arabia spent more than $80bn on new weapons last year. The United Arab Emirates spent almost $23bn.

The Pentagon has been pushing for some years for the region's militaries to develop ways of working more closely together, but has faced resistance from some Gulf governments.

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