RIYADH: United States Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is arriving Kingdom next week to further enhance alliance between the two countries working closely on many issues and the leadership from both sides are expected to discuss regional issues, including Iran nuclear deal.

Confirming the trip by the Pentagon chief to the Kingdom, Johann Schmonsees, press attache at the US Embassy in Riyadh, said: “Yes, the defense secretary is arriving on the Middle East trip that include his visit to Jeddah.”

“The defense secretary will meet senior Saudi leaders and discuss ways of enhancing partnership between the Kingdom and the US,” he said.

The Kingdom and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have expressed concerns during the Camp David meet with US President Barack Obama on Iran’s “destabilizing behavior.”

When asked about exact date of Carter’s arrival in Jeddah, the US diplomat said the details of his schedule was not yet finalized.

Carter is expected to visit Jeddah in the middle of the coming week as he is scheduled to hold meetings in Israel on Monday and Tuesday, before traveling to Saudi Arabia and Jordan in a bid to renew US security commitments in the region after striking nuclear deal with Iran.

In Jordan, the US defense secretary will visit a military base to meet colleagues of a Jordanian pilot who was burned alive by Daesh militants.

According to reports, Carter’s wide-ranging meetings with his counterparts and other officials during the Middle East trip are also expected to cover military and strategic issues.