Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned President Obama on Thursday that the emerging deal with Iran, if implemented, would threaten the existence of Israel.
Netanyahu made the case against the Iran deal last month in a speech to the joint session of Congress, which rankled President Obama. The two leaders spoke on Thursday after Obama made a statement touting a preliminary agreement.
“PM Netanyahu to Pres Obama: A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel,” Netanyahu spokesman Mark Regev wrote on Twitter.
Regev also quoted Netanyahu as saying, “Just 2 days ago, Iran said ‘the destruction of Israel is non-negotiable.'” Netanyahu noted that Iran is accelerating its arming of terrorist proxies to attack Israel and that, “This deal would legitimize Iran’s nuclear program, bolster Iran’s economy & increase Iran’s aggression & terror.”
He added, “Such a deal would not block Iran’s path to the bomb. It would pave it.” He also argued that, “The alternative is standing firm and increasing the pressure on Iran until a better deal is achieved.”
An account of the Thursday call between Obama and Netanyahu released by the White House read:
President Obama called Prime Minister Netanyahu today from Air Force One to discuss the political framework reached between the P5+1, the EU, and Iran on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The President emphasized that, while nothing is agreed until everything is, the framework represents significant progress towards a lasting, comprehensive solution that cuts off all of Iran’s pathways to a bomb and verifiably ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program going forward. He underscored that progress on the nuclear issue in no way diminishes our concerns with respect to Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism and threats towards Israel and emphasized that the United States remains steadfast in our commitment to the security of Israel. The President told the Prime Minister that he has directed his national security team to increase consultations with the new Israeli government about how we can further strengthen our long-term security cooperation with Israel and remain vigilant in countering Iran’s threats.
