Obama expected to push for Gulf missile defence at U.S. summit

U.S. President Barack Obama plays host to a Cinco de Mayo reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington May 5, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is expected to make a renewed U.S. push next week to help Gulf allies create a region-wide defence system to guard against Iranian missiles as he seeks to allay their anxieties over any nuclear deal with Tehran, according to U.S. sources.

The offer could be accompanied by enhanced security commitments, new arms sales and more joint military exercises, U.S. officials say, as Obama tries to reassure Gulf Arab countries that Washington is not abandoning them.