Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak

The PM is in Saudi Arabia for a 2-day visit

Saudi Arabia is "hopeful" after exploratory talks with its nemesis Iran, its foreign minister told AFP, in a rare comment on delicate discussions whose details have been closely guarded.

The official-level meetings aim to restore relations severed five years ago between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shiite Islamic Republic of Iran.

The US State Department and the UAE Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment

Both the UAE & Greece have worked more closely with Israel

Iran's defense minister on May 8 lashed back at Saudi Arabia, slamming the kingdom's deputy crown prince over belligerent comments last week that underscored the deep rivalries between the Sunni and Shiite power.

BELGRADE - The latest poll by the Sputnik media outlet has revealed that the majority of Americans - 68 percent - believe the US should stop supporting Saudi Arabia until its authorities can prove they don't finance terrorism.

Saudi Arabia clearly beheaded the popular Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr with awareness of the consequences this would have, especially with regard to the Sunni-Shiite fault line. King Salman had the power to grant clemency to avoid further aggravating the already tense regional situation, but chose not to.

The diplomatic row between Iran and Saudi Arabia has deepened as several other countries have joined.

Bahrain, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates have all taken diplomatic actions against Iran after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked following the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric in Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties with Iran on Jan. 3 after protesters ransacked its embassy in Tehran to protest at the execution of a Shiite cleric whose killing has sparked fury.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has praised a new "Saudi-led Islamic anti-terrorism alliance" as being "in line with U.S. calls for a greater Sunni role" in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). He was speaking during a visit to Turkey's ?ncirlik air base on Dec. 15, which came only a day after the Pentagon gave a conceptual briefing about the front to U.S.