World Bulletin / News Desk

 Saudi Arabia, whose late King Abdullah once urged the United States to "cut off the head of the snake" by attacking Iran's atomic programme, has publicly welcomed a framework nuclear deal withTehran, but in private mistrust remains deep.

However, many Saudis were concerned about the wider implications of the framework deal that Iran reached with six world powers on Thursday, intended to open the way for negotiating a final settlement by mid-year.

"It's about verification. If they don't comply, the boycott will be reimposed. This is a reassuring result," said a Gulf source close to official Saudi thinking, but added that Riyadh was still worried about Iran's role in the region.

"Iran may think that as a result of this accord it is on the road to respectability," he said.

The framework agreement reached in Lausanne curbs Iran's nuclear programme for at least a decade and gradually lifts Western sanctions on the oil producer, but is contingent on reaching the final pact by June 30.