Tillerson urges European firms to join sanctions on Iran

Riyadh, Oct 22 (IANS)   US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday expressed the hope that European firms will impose sanctions on Iran, local news reported.

Citing Al Arabiya, Xinhua reported that Tillerson made the remarks at a press conference during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

He also called on the Iranian army to withdraw from Iraq, welcoming the Saudi-Iraqi coordination council which would be formed soon, describing it as a way to move Iraq forward.

"We are looking for a strong Iraq and this could be through good neighbouring ties," he confirmed.

The US official also expressed his country's interest in protecting Gulf unity.

Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir highlighted that the two sides discussed the Iranian threats in the region and the Qatari crisis.

He said that Saudi Arabia would negotiate with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt, who severed ties with Qatar in June over terrorism support allegations, on the next step about Qatar.