US envoy on Iran policy makes first round of visits in Gulf

Washington: The US State Department is sending its special envoy for the Gulf to the region to discuss international diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its suspected quest for nuclear weapons.

It will be the first trip to the region for Dennis Ross since he was named to the position in late February.

The State Department said Ross will begin his trip Tuesday and will visit Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.

He will be accompanied by the deputy commander of US Central Command, Lieutenant General John R. Allen, and National Security Council official Puneet Talwar.