U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has stood by ally Saudi Arabia in its rift with Iran over the execution of a Shi'ite cleric, but urged the two to resolve their differences through diplomacy.
Kerry met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in London on January 14.
Kerry said countries in the Middle East should not interfere in the affairs of others, noting Saudi charges that Iran foments Shi'ite unrest throughout the Sunni monarchies of the Persian Gulf.
Kerry also emphasized the merits of diplomacy just days after his own frantic series of phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif helped secure the release of 10 U.S. Navy sailors detained by Iran on a Gulf island.
The talks coincided with Iran's effort to completely satisfy the terms of last summer's nuclear deal.
Once Iran completes the task, probably in the coming days, it should begin to reap massive economic benefits.
Saudi Arabia, which expressed reservations over the July accord, is wary of an enriched and emboldened Iran.