Saudi Arabia's push for a tough stand against its arch-rival Iran is expected to dominate an Arab League summit on Sunday as regional tensions grow over the wars in Syria and Yemen.

The fate of Jerusalem will also be on the summit's agenda, as the United States prepares to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed city after declaring it the capital of Israel.

Analysts say, Saudi Arabia, which is hosting the yearly summit in the Eastern Province city of Dhahran, is likely to seek Arab support to pile the pressure on Iran.

The summit will be attended by delegations from 21 of the Arab League's 22-member states. Syria has been suspended from the organisation for seven years over President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on protesters.

The gathering comes as the US administration of President Donald Trump, a key Saudi ally, faces crucial decisions on how to react to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Trump has put off a final decision on US-led strikes against Syria after an alleged chemical attack against the rebel-held town of Douma that killed dozens.

The summit is expected to release a statement on the suspected toxic gas attack, but it remains to be seen whether the Arab League will take any action as well. Syria serves today as a major pivot between Saudi Arabia and its allies on the one hand, and Iran and Hezbollah on the other.