Saudi Arabia Warns Iran Not To Incite Middle East Turmoil

Saudi Arabia's state news agency said the kingdom has warned Iran not to use money that will flow from the lifting of sanctions to incite turmoil in the region.

The warning came as U.S. President Barack Obama called Saudi King Salman to "underscore that the United States is as committed as ever to working with our Gulf partners to counter Iran's destabilizing activities in the region," the White House said July 14.

Tehran must use the funds in the service of the Iranian people and not cause instability, or there will be consequences from the "region's countries," the Saudi Press Agency said after Iran concluded a deal with six world powers to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.

The statement said the kingdom has always stressed the importance of reaching a deal that would allow permanent inspections of Iranian nuclear sites and re-impose sanctions if Iran violates the terms.

Gulf Arab states and especially Saudi Arabia, the major oil exporter, have expressed serious concerns with the deal. Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals and have competing interests in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

Based on reporting by dpa and AP