Obama to assure Saudi king of U.S. help to counter Iranian threat

U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to board Air Force One on the way back to Washington after a presidential visit to New Orleans, Louisiana, August 27, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will assure Saudi King Salman of the U.S. commitment to help counter any Iranian security threat, White House officials said on Wednesday, despite concern among Gulf allies that a new nuclear deal could empower Tehran in the region.

Obama, hosting Salman on Friday on the king's first U.S. visit since ascending to the throne in January, will seek to allay the fears of Washington’s most important Arab partner that the lifting of sanctions on Iran would allow it to act in destabilizing ways.