Is The Saudi-Iran Crisis A Rebuke Of U.S. Policy In The Middle East?

A security personnel asks reporters to leave a room where U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) is meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) at a hotel in Vienna, Austria July 1, 2015. Reuters/Carlos Barria

AFP: Saudi-Iran crisis a rebuke for US policy in region

Washington (AFP) - The dramatic escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran has dealt a major blow to US standing in the region, and some experts say the blame lies with its single-minded focus on mending relations with Tehran.

Washington has failed to manage its traditional Sunni Arab allies in the Gulf while reaching out to their Shiite foe Iran to secure a nuclear deal, experts say.

Secretary of State John Kerry called his Iranian and Saudi counterparts, foreign ministers Mohammad Javad Zarif and Adel al-Jubeir, on Monday to urge calm.

But the crisis that erupted when Riyadh marked the New Year by executing a respected Shiite cleric was always likely to come to a head, whatever event triggered it.

WNU Editor: You know you have a problem with your policy when the leader on the other side boasts like this .... Khamenei says US faces 'punch in mouth' in upcoming Iran elections (AFP).