Saudi king to meet with Obama on Iran

King Salman of Saudi Arabia is meeting with President Obama in Washington next Friday, the White House said.

The meeting comes as Obama is attempting to soothe concerns among Gulf allies about the nuclear deal with Iran.

{mosads}Saudi Arabia and other Arab states have expressed concern that their rival Iran could expand its regional influence under the deal, which limits Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Obama and Salman will discuss conflicts in Syria and Yemen as well as “steps to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.”

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited Saudi Arabia last month and claimed the Saudis have come around on the deal.

But there were open tensions in May, when Salman skipped a Gulf state summit at Camp David designed to enhance security cooperation with the United States.