Riyadh, May 11 (RHC)-- Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies highly praised Washington's decision to withdraw from the international nuclear accord with Iran.  Joining Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain swiftly backed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran. 

In a press statement, Saudi Arabia said that it welcomed the decision, claiming that Iran had "exploited" economic gains from the deal in order to "destabilize" the region.  The Kingdom called for future measures to take a "comprehensive view that is not limited to its nuclear program but also includes all hostile activities." 

Saudi media outlets and commentators also had praise for Trump's controversial move.  Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas, of Arab News Daily, wrote: "Paris and London may not like Trump's decision, but how would the French or British feel if their capital cities came under direct threat by the Iranians?"   The "threat" references the occasional missile attack from Yemen, a country that Saudi Arabia has blockaded and bombed into a situation of dire instability and poverty for over three years. 

In an anticipated decision, Trump withdrew from the deal on Tuesday, having previously said that Iran was in violation of the "spirit" of the international agreement.  International agencies responsible for inspecting compliance have said that Iran was in full cooperation with the agreement's terms. 

While many countries, including those also party to the agreement, have condemned Trump's decision, Israel has declared the move a political victory.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the decision "courageous."