In warning the international community to “beware” Iran’s intentions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the United States and other negotiators needed to demand as part of any nuclear talks that the regime “change its genocidal policy” toward the Jewish state. “This is a regime committed to our destruction,” Netanyahu said at a forum hosted by the Brookings Institution. He continued to sound a deeply skeptical tone toward the short-term deal made recently in Geneva scaling back Iran’s nuclear efforts in exchange for rolling back sanctions. Netanyahu said any long-term deal must end Iran’s “military nuclear capability.”
President Obama addressed the same forum the day before and cast doubt on the deal with Iran. “If you ask me what is the likelihood that we’re able to arrive at the end state … I wouldn’t say that it’s more than 50-50,” Obama said. “But we have to try.” Netanyahu and Obama have been at odds over the deal with Iran, and the remarks by Obama could have been an effort to show the Israeli leader he shares his skepticism. Netanyahu Sunday stressed the Israel-U.S. bond is an “indispensable alliance” in this effort and the two nations will continue to work together. But he said “the jury is still out” on Iran’s intentions.
Netanyahu said diplomacy is the preferred course but the military option must be on the table and suggested sanctions could even be increased during talks. Israel is “prepared to do what is necessary,” he said. Israel complains that the deal struck in Geneva gives Iran too much leeway and has voiced concern about where these talks will lead.
Secretary of State John Kerry opened his address to the forum with discussion of the state of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks but also echoed Obama’s skepticism of Iran when he said, “As we enter negotiations for a final comprehensive agreement, we absolutely do so with our eyes wide open, and, as yet, I have to say, unconvinced that Iran will absolutely make all the decisions, the hard decisions necessary to reach such an agreement.”
