Pentagon chief heads to Israel, Saudi after Iran deal

 Washington

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter heads next week to Israel and Saudi Arabia  a diplomatic charm offensives to two countries that have expressed serious concerns over the Iran nuclear deal.

Carter, who will also visit Jordan, will be renewing US security commitments in the region, some of which serve as a buffer to Iran's "destabilizing behavior," a senior Pentagon official said Friday.

On Tuesday, Carter will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has lambasted the landmark agreement as a "historic mistake." Netanyahu has also repeatedly threatened to take military action if necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"The deal won't change radically what we do here at the Defense Department," the US official insisted, dismissing suggestions of increased US military aid to Israel or Saudi Arabia, or new arms deals with them. 

"We are committed to maintaining a strong presence, particularly in the Gulf." Carter's wide-ranging conversations with his counterparts and other officials are expected to also cover military and weapons procurement.

"But frankly, they are the same conversation we would have if there was no deal that had been signed," the official said.Israel has long opposed any deal with its arch-foe Iran.