US will need to reassure its Gulf Arab allies on Iran deal

WHATEVER the spin doctors say, the road ahead for the nuclear agreement between the six world powers and Iran will be convoluted.

To begin with, there are several snags in the negotiated document itself. For instance, the text demands that Teheran allay "past and present issues of concern" by Oct 15. What happens if they remain unresolved?

As well, opposition to the deal is gaining pace. US President Barack Obama's Republican opponents, who command majority in both chambers of the US legislature, have joined up with some Democrats to find ways to stymie the accord. They enjoy the enthusiastic support of the Israeli lobby and tacit backing from Saudi Arabia, where the deal is seen as an Obama tilt towards Iran. Other Sunni Gulf monarchies are also annoyed. And they all have the next two months to pull off their stratagems. For the moment, Mr Obama seems to know how his political opponents are lining up against him and has vowed to veto any legislation that would thwart this deal.