Despite witnessing a delicate post-election transition period, the US is reaffirming that its interests, allies and policies remain constant and are not affected by a change in presidents or ruling parties.
Regardless of who is president on January 20, Washington will continue to work closely with allies to deter hostile activities of common enemies.
This was echoed in statements made by US Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela Elliott Abrams, who concluded a Middle East tour by visiting the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
During his visit to Riyadh, Abrams met with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and reviewed bilateral cooperation in the context of strengthening regional stability, deterring security threats, and achieving common interests within the framework laid out by the strategic partnership shared between the US and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abrams discussed Saudi-US relations, Iranian issue and regional affairs.
After January 2021, whether it is Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the Oval Office, US interests remain unchanged, the senior diplomat confirmed.
Abrams, however, said that the approach adopted for protecting interests may differ from one person to another.
As for his meeting with Prince Khalid, Abrams told Asharq Al-Awsat that it touched upon the importance of Saudi-Iraqi relations and the need for cooperation, adding that Iraq seeks to navigate threatening Iranian interventions.
More so, the envoy indicated that Saudi-US relations have developed significantly over recent years.
Crediting progress to the great leadership found in both countries, Abrams said it encompassed various fields that include diplomatic cooperation and military ties.
On a regional level, Abrams acknowledged the presence of a common threat represented by Iranian behavior and support of proxy militias across the Middle East.
Backing guerrillas in each of Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and Yemen, Iran’s conduct is perceived as a serious threat to peace efforts and regional stability.
Abrams also revealed that efforts are being poured into neutralizing access to Iranian weapons by Houthi militias in Yemen.
The US is working with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region, including Oman, to stop the smuggling of weapons to Yemen, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
While trying to solve the problem of arms trafficking in Yemen, the US is also studying the option of blacklisting the Iran-backed Houthi group as a terrorist militia.
Abrams praised the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) calling on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to extend the arms embargo on Iran as one of the most prominent diplomatic events that took place in recent months.
