Obama and Saudi King Abdullah discuss common concerns

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz received a phone call on Wednesday from U.S. President Barack Obama during which the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional issues, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The phone conversation came days after the United States and other major world powers signed an interim deal with Iran to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting some stifling sanctions on the country’s crippled economy.

Saudi Arabia said the agreement could be a first step towards a comprehensive solution for Iran’s nuclear program “if there are good intentions.”

The kingdom further noted that a solution should lead to the “removal of all weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear, from the Middle East and the Gulf.”

Saudi Arabia has long expressed its doubt over Tehran’s nuclear work, fearing it is a cover for an atomic weapons program.

President Obama’s administration has sought to reassure America’s allies in the Middle East that a deal with Iran will not be at the expense of relations with them.