WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. envoy for the Middle East, Dennis Ross, left Washington on Friday for his first visit to the region carrying a message on the Iranian nuclear program.
The U.S. State Department in statements to the BBC said Ross intends to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to discuss "issues of mutual and regional concern."
The United States and its European allies in April called on Iran to open itself up to negotiations on its controversial nuclear program.
The international inspection regime stated in its latest reports that the intent of the Iranian nuclear program remains ambiguous despite years of monitoring. Iran, for its part, maintains its nuclear program is for civilian energy production.
The latest reports from Washington officials maintain Iran is one of the greatest threats to the region despite conciliatory messages from U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, notably on the latest efforts in Afghanistan.
Ross is expected to focus on bringing Sunni states closer to Washington in an effort to shore up resolve against the Shiite regime in Tehran.
