Obama vows to address Iran’s ‘destabilizing’ role in Mideast

By: 10 years ago

President Barack Obama walks to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 2, 2015, to speak about the breakthrough in the Iranian nuclear talks. The president heralded a framework nuclear understanding with Iran as an "historic" agreement that could pave the way for a final deal that would leave the U.S., its allies and the world safer. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama walks to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, April 2, 2015, to speak about the breakthrough in the Iranian nuclear talks. AP

WASHINGTON, United States – President Obama on Monday said he would continue to work with US partners to address Iran’s “destabilizing activities” in the Middle East, even as details of a nuclear deal with Tehran are thrashed out.

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During a phone call with Sultan Qaboos, Obama pledged to work “with Oman and other regional partners to address Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region,” the White House said.

Obama’s call was part of a drive to convince skeptical allies that a tentative deal over Iran’s nuclear program does not signify a softening of US opposition to Iran’s role in the region.

Arab states accuse Iran of fueling a series of proxy battles in the Middle East that have destabilized Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and other states.

Obama has invited leaders of the several Gulf states to Camp David in the near future in a bid to assuage their concerns.