Iran’s Billions in Sanctions Relief Could Fund Terrorist Groups: Kerry

“Overall, the United States is very aware of the mischief that Iran’s nefarious activities can do in the region”, Jubeir said.

Iran “was moving towards a nuclear weapon, and moving at a rate that was extremely disturbing”, he said. “The process will begin on the 25th and they will get together and see where we are”.

Kerry also said progress was being made in the campaign against ISIS, which has been pushed out of 30% to 40% of the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi Arabia and some of its allies cut diplomatic ties with Iran after protesters there burned Riyadh’s embassy in Tehran and a consulate in Mashhad city. “It seems to me that – and much of it’s supplied, obviously, across the border from Iran through Damascus”, Kerry said, using an alternate spelling of the Lebanon-based militia banned by the USA government.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry takes a moment on January 22, 2016, to enjoy the view of Davos, Switzerland, before delivering remarks to attendees at the World Economic Forum.

Speaking of the agreement previous year between Iran and six world powers to limit the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program in return for easing economic sanctions, Kerry said: “Iran was on a collision course with the worldwide community that in all likelihood would have ended in war”.

The violence broke out after the kingdom executed dissident Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, a driving force behind anti-government protests.

Kerry told CNBC he met with Netanyahu Thursday and “of course we have a different opinion on this, and I respect completely Israel’s perception of the threat that Israel faces”.

The UN said last month the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide was likely to have “far surpassed” a record 60 million past year, mainly driven by the Syrian war and other protracted conflicts.

Russian Federation and Iran, countries which back Syrian President Bashar Assad, have huge differences with Saudi Arabia, other Arab states, the United States and Europe over which opposition groups should be considered terrorists.

Kerry says USA sanctions against Iran and other nations have been “used judiciously and effectively” and will continue to be used in the future. United Nations envoy de Mistura lamented that “this is the third year we are talking about Syria and not getting anywhere”, one participant said.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are longtime regional rivals that support opposite sides in the wars in Syria and Yemen. He added that there will be consequences for Iran if there is evidence that the funding supported terrorism.