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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| US defense chief in Saudi for talks on Iran |
| 2010-03-11 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates flew into Riyadh on Wednesday for talks expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program and Washington's push for tough sanctions against Tehran. Gates was due to meet King Abdullah as the Obama administration kept up a concerted effort to rally international support for punitive sanctions against Iran, despite misgivings by China and other countries. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are "incredibly concerned about Iran's nuclear program," as well as its growing missile arsenal and "destabilizing" role in the region, a U.S. defense official told reporters earlier. "The secretary will provide an update about where we are on our policy on Iran as we pivot from the engagement track to the pressure track," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Frustrated with Iran's response to U.S. overtures for dialogue, the Obama administration has shifted its emphasis, vowing to pile pressure on Tehran to persuade it to abandon its uranium enrichment work. |
| Posted by:Fred |