Special to WorldTribune.com

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry lobbied Gulf Arab leaders today on behalf of the Obama administration’s upcoming rapproachement with Iran.

Subsequent statements by Saudi leaders indicated they remain skeptical of U.S. intentions and are concerned about Iran’s rising profile in the region.

After meeting with Saudi King Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, Kerry said:

“Let me underscore: we are not seeking a grand bargain. Nothing will be different the day after this agreement, if we were to reach one, with respect to all of the other issues that challenge us in this region.”

Kerry also met with his counterparts from the other Gulf Arab states: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

“Even as we engage in these discussions with Iran around its nuclear program, we will not take our eye off of Iran’s other destabilising actions in places like Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and the Arabian peninsula, Yemen particularly,”

Kerry reported that his talks Wednesday with Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had make progress.

Speaking after Kerry, Prince Saud expresssed concerns about the involvement by Iranina forces in the offensive by Iraq forces and Shi’a militias to regain control of Tikrit from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.

“The situation in Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about. Iran is taking over the country,” he said.

  Gulf leaders on imminent Iran deal, Kerry seeks to calm Saudis, WorldTribune.com