Updated

Britain's top diplomat has voiced his country's strong commitment to the security of the Gulf states, seeking to reassure wary Arab allies in the wake of last month's nuclear deal with their regional rival Iran.

Foreign Secretary William Hague told representatives at a regional security summit Friday in the Bahraini capital Manama that last month's deal between world powers and Iran in Geneva does not imply any lessening of the U.K.'s commitments to its alliances in the region and the security of its sea lanes.

Iran agreed to freeze parts of its nuclear program for six months in exchange for some relief from Western sanctions. The Gulf states generally welcomed the deal as an important early step, though they remain suspicious of Tehran's intentions.