US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (photo) reassured the GCC countries that an American presence will remain in the area in light of Tuesday's nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 countries (United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany).

Iran and the P5+1 group reached a comprehensive agreement in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, that would degrade Tehran's uranium enrichment capabilities in return of easing of sanctions. The deal is likely to put an end to a 13-year nuclear dispute.

The final deal will lift sanctions on the country's banks and financial sectors. It will lift a United Nations embargo on arms within around five years and another embargo on construction of ballistic missiles that will expire in around eight years under the deal.

“Our military including tens of thousands of US forces in the Middle East are full speed ahead maintaining a strong presence in the Gulf,” said Carter in a statement, echoing the American commitment to defend the GCC countries against foreign threats.

“We remain prepared and postured to bolster the security of our friends and allies in the region including Israel; to defense against aggression; ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf; and check Iranian malign influence,” he continued.

“We will utilize military option if necessary,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said UN Security Council is to announce a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers next week to recognize Iran's right for nuclear enrichment.

“The Iranian nuclear deal has certain dimensions which would be explored in future,” Zarif told the press after returning to Iran from Vienna Wednesday.