New approach to old alliance for Saudi King and Obama

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir (L) during a meeting at the State Department in Washington, September 2, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman will meet U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on Friday, aiming to push him for more support in Riyadh's efforts to counter Iran after it agreed to a nuclear deal that will relieve Tehran of some international pressure.

Despite Saudi disappointment with Obama's push for a nuclear deal with Iran and his lack of direct action against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the U.S. role in Riyadh's war in Yemen shows Washington remains the kingdom's core strategic partner.