Iran has fewer fears that we will oppose them in a confrontation in the West because of the nuclear pseudo-deal and our outreach to make them a responsible regional power.
And Saudi Arabia is probably more willing to confront Iran now rather than count on the deal to prevent Iran from going nuclear and because the Saudis are less confident that we will back them up in a real crisis with Iran.
Nobody counts on us or fears us there, these days:
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.
That is our policy, after all.
