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Lobbying 2015: Saudis seek Iran deal payoff

Gravely concerned by the nuclear deal with Iran, Saudi Arabia is relying on its $3.7 million-a-year PR and lobbying operation to leverage it for more US commitments instead of seeking to sabotage it.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (L) meets with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (R) at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Carter flew into Saudi Arabia for meetings on Wednesday with King Salman and his security leadership to reassure the kingdom of America's support after Washington struck a nuclear deal with its arch-rival Iran. REUTERS/Carolyn Kaster/Pool - RTX1LCCT

Riyadh is banking on its deep ties with defense contractors and congressional hawks to avoid getting left at the altar as Washington flirts with Tehran.

While Saudi Arabia and Israel expressed the deepest skepticism throughout the nuclear talks, the desert kingdom dropped its opposition once the deal was signed. In exchange, the Saudis are expecting a significant military and diplomatic payoff.

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