President Barack Obama Defends US Deal with Iran to Israelis

Obama hosts a 'Hanukkah' reception in the White House

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Speaking to an audience of Israeli diplomats and senior members of the US Jewish community at a Hanukkah celebration, President Barack Obama pledges to keep working to deny Tehran of a nuclear weapons programme

President Barack Obama on Thursday defended his nuclear diplomacy with Iran before an audience of Israeli diplomats and senior members of the US Jewish community and officials.

At a White House Hanukkah reception, Obama said that it was important for the United States to test Iran's intentions, and pledged to keep working for a comprehensive deal to deprive Tehran of a nuclear weapon.

"For the first time in a decade we have halted progress of Iran's nuclear program," Obama said. » | AFP | Friday, December 06, 2013

US in a 'Weaker Position' after Iran Nuclear Deal?

P5+1 & Iran Agree Landmark Nuclear Deal at Geneva Talks

The P5+1 world powers and Iran have struck a historic deal on Tehran's nuclear program at talks in Geneva. Ministers overcame the last remaining hurdles to reach an interim agreement, despite strong pressure from Israel and lobby groups.

Iran Nuclear Deal Fuels Anger, Jitters in Mideast

THE BELLINGHAM HERALD: JERUSALEM — Israel's prime minister harshly condemned the international community's nuclear deal with Iran on Sunday while Saudi Arabia remained conspicuously quiet, reflecting the jitters felt throughout the Middle East over Iran's acceptance on the global stage.

Elsewhere, many welcomed the agreement as an important first step toward curbing Iran's suspect nuclear program.

Israel and Western-allied Gulf countries led by Saudi Arabia have formed an unlikely alliance in their opposition to Sunday's deal, joined together by shared concerns about a nuclear-armed Iran and the Tehran's growing regional influence.

While most Gulf countries remained silent in the first hours after the deal was reached in Geneva, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted little time in criticizing it, calling it a "historic mistake" and saying he was not bound by the agreement.

Speaking to his Cabinet, Netanyahu said the world had become a "more dangerous place" as a result of the deal. He reiterated a long-standing threat to use military action against Iran if needed, declaring that Israel "has the right and the duty to defend itself by itself." » | Josef Federman | Associated Press | Sunday, November 24, 2014

Nuclear Deal with Iran a 'Historic Mistake', Benjamin Netanyahu Says

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Israel's top politicians speak out as one to condemn the six powers' agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme


Israel's political establishment arose in unison on Sunday to denounce as inadequate an interim agreement hammered out with Iran to rein in its nuclear programme.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, led the chorus of indignation, calling the deal struck in Geneva between Iran and the so-called P5 plus one – the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – "a historic mistake".

"What was achieved last night in Geneva is not a historic agreement; it is a historic mistake," he told Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting "Today the world has become a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world has taken a significant step toward attaining the most dangerous weapon in the world.

Condemning the six powers for "ignoring the UN Security Council decisions that they themselves led", he added: "This agreement and what it means endanger many countries including, of course, Israel. Israel is not bound by this agreement. The Iranian regime is committed to the destruction of Israel and Israel has the right and the obligation to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.

Mr Netanyahu's comments came after a procession of ministers and senior officials had earlier taken aim at a "bad deal" which they said effectively left Iran as a nuclear threshold state.

In the most graphic criticism, Naftali Bennett, the trade and industry minister and leader of the far-Right Jewish Home party, warned that it could be the precursor to a nuclear "suitcase bomb" attack on a major Western city. » | Robert Tait, Jerusalem | Sunday, November 24, 2013

Iran Nuclear Deal Agreed at Geneva Talks

Iran's leaders celebrate the deal, described by America as a "dramatic" step to “roll back” Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The six world powers reached agreement after talks stretch past midnight and in to fifth day of negotiations

Read the Sunday Telegraph article here | David Blair, Chief Foreign Correspondent, Geneva | Sunday, November 24, 2013

Israel: FM Slams Deal with Iran: 'We're Entering New Era'

YNET NEWS: 'State of Israel will have to think things over,' FM Lieberman says of deal, claiming 'acceptance of right to enrichment opens arms race' with Iran. According to him, deal dangerous not only for Israel, but also for Egypt, Turkey, Gulf states. Lapid, Steinitz echo claims.

After weeks of an intensive campaign to dissuade Western powers from striking a deal with Iran failed to yield a result as world powers reached an agreement Sunday, Israel remains on the offensive.

Sunday morning, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said "there is no achievement in the is agreement. This is the biggest diplomatic victory Iran has known in recent years – since the Khameini regime (came to power)." When asked if the deal contains any positive aspect, Lieberman replied "no, there is no such thing."

The tone was echoed by a government spokesperson who said "This is a bad deal. It gives Iran exactly what it wanted – a significant reduction of sanctions while preserving the most significant part of its nuclear program," a official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

"Israel does not see itself as bound by this bad, this very bad agreement that has been signed," Economy Minister Naftali Bennett added. » | Attila Somfalvi | Sunday, November 24, 2013

Accord Reached With Iran to Halt Nuclear Program

INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK TIMES: GENEVA — The United States and five other world powers announced a landmark accord Sunday morning that would temporarily freeze Iran’s nuclear program and lay the foundation for a more sweeping agreement.

It was the first time in nearly a decade, American officials said, that an international agreement had been reached to halt much of Iran’s nuclear program and roll some elements of it back.

The aim of the accord, which is to last six months, is to give international negotiators time to pursue a more comprehensive pact that would ratchet back much of Iran’s nuclear program and ensure that it could be used only for peaceful purposes.

Shortly after the agreement was signed at 3 a.m. in the Palace of Nations in Geneva, President Obama, speaking from the State Dining Room in the White House, hailed it as the most “significant and tangible” progress of a diplomatic campaign that began when he took office.

“Today, that diplomacy opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure,” he said, “a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.” » | Michael R. Gordon | Saturday, November 23, 2013

Saudis Team Up with Israel to Plan Strike against Iran - Report

Although Israel and Saudi Arabia officially have no diplomatic relations - they're rumoured to be preparing a joint bombing campaign against Iran. The Sunday Times suggests an attack may take place if a new round of international talks fails to produce a deal rolling back Tehran's nuclear power programme. Israel considers Iran its enemy-number-one, and has long accused the country of working on an atomic bomb, a charge that Iran denies.

Iran Impasse: French Reluctance Causes Nuclear Talks to Stall

Marathon talks on Iran's nuclear programme have failed to produce an agreement, but hope remains there'll be one in the future. While world powers tried to push ahead, France revealed itself to be the most skeptical in the Western camp, refusing to accept any short-term deal. RT's Tesa Arcilla reports on the meeting's stumbling blocks.

William Hague Pledges to "Seize the Moment" at Iran Nuclear Talks - But France Warns of "Sucker's Deal"

Fabius: French Foreign Minister | Hague: British Foreign Secretary

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Progress is made, but the British Foreign Secretary cautions that difficult issues remain unresolved - and his French counterpart takes tough line

William Hague praised Iran's representatives for adopting a "completely different" approach at the negotiations in Geneva, but cautioned against expecting an imminent deal.

Speaking on Saturday as the talks continued for an unplanned third day, the Foreign Secretary pledged to "seize the moment and seize the opportunity to reach a deal that has eluded the world".

He told journalists that "good progress" had been made - but there was no deadline for signing an agreement and it may not be possible on Saturday. If necessary, the six world powers who negotiate with Iran on the nuclear issue could reconvene at a later date.

Mr Hague acknowledged that a "wide number of issues have been satisfactorily addressed" and the "atmosphere is completely different".

Laurent Fabius, the French foreign minister, was more cautious than his British counterpart, telling a radio station there was "no certainty" of agreement and warning against a "sucker's deal". Mr Fabius added: "There is an initial draft that we do not accept." » | David Blair, Saturday, November 09, 2013

Shameless Appeasement of Iran

YNET NEWS: Op-ed: It is morally disgraceful for US president to pressure Jews to turn their back on Israeli concerns

While the Iranians are continuing installing hundreds of new advanced centrifuges every month, the Obama administration has been pressuring US Jewish organizations to stop lobbying in support of US legislation to tighten the economic sanctions against Iran, turn their back on Israeli concerns, and side with President Obama’s wishful thinking of a possible diplomatic solution with Iran.

It is quite disturbing for the president to ask any US organization to turn against a democratic ally for the sake of appeasing and accommodating a dictatorship and longtime enemy. But it is morally disgraceful to pressure Jews to turn their back on the Jewish state when Israel will be on the front line of possible nuclear annihilation by an enemy which has publicly stated its sinister intentions.

It is quite unscrupulous to ask Jews who live with the legacy of the Holocaust to be an accomplice to the culmination of the Iranian nuclear weapon program by agreeing to give more time for negotiations with President Rohani, who has boasted of using previous negotiations with the West as a delaying tactic. But it is quite shameless to ask US Jewish leaders to repeat a dark chapter of their history and be silent again and do nothing to save their own fellow Jews as they did during World War II in order to save face with another US president. » | Shoula Romano Horing | Friday, November 08, 2013

Iran Nuclear Talks: Benjamin Netanyahu Lashes Out Against Deal

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, warns that US and West are handing Iran the 'deal of the century'


Read the Daily Telegraph article here | Robert Tait, Peter Foster and David Blair | Friday, November 08, 2013

US Offers Short-term Nuclear Deal Allowing Iran to Continue Enriching Uranium

Catherine Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: American negotiators want a six month freeze to Iran's nuclear programme to create time for a final agreement, but the terms risk a backlash from both Israel and Congress

America has proposed a short-term nuclear agreement with Iran at a meeting in Geneva which would allow Tehran to continue enriching uranium at low levels, according to an aide briefed on the talks.

The goal is to freeze Iran’s nuclear programme for perhaps six months in order to create a breathing space for a comprehensive agreement to be negotiated.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned on Thursday that any deal which failed to stop Iran from enriching uranium would be a “mistake of historic proportions”.

Western diplomats and US officials have refused to disclose any details of a “first step agreement”. But a Senate aide, citing briefings from the White House, the State Department and sources in Geneva, said he understood that it would include four key points. » | Peter Foster in Washington, and David Blair | Thursday, November 07, 2013

Israel Clashes with US As It Calls for Destruction of Iran's Nuclear Industry

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, questions Washington's friendlier stance towards Tehran

The United States and Israel clashed on Wednesday over Iran as Benjamin Netanyahu called for Tehran’s entire nuclear programme to be dismantled and warned the world against accepting a “partial deal”.

The Israeli prime minister made clear his dismay at Washington’s softer approach towards Iran. He said the ongoing negotiations should insist that Tehran end all enrichment of uranium, destroy all fissile material and close water plants and underground bunkers that he said could only be used to build a nuclear bomb.

The six world powers involved in talks with Iran have not made firm commitments on what it would allow Tehran to keep, but are not insisting on it eradicating its nuclear industry.

“I think a partial deal that leaves Iran with these capabilities is a bad deal,” said Mr Netanyahu. » | Alex Spillius, Diplomatic Correspondent | Wednesday, October 23, 2013

'Israel Will Not Fall Asleep On Its Watch Again': Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Makes Case for Pre-emptive Strike on Iran

Benjamin Netanyahu

MAIL ONLINE: Benjamin Netanyahu said situations when pre-emptive strike is justified / Speaking during commemoration of 40th anniversary of Yom Kippur War / Said Israel 'would never underestimate an enemy' again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken of the merits of pre-emptive strikes in what has been seen as a warning to Iran after talks on its nuclear programme.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Netanyahu told law[-]makers there are situations when a strike is justified.

He said lessons had been learned since the war, which broke out when forces led by Syria and Egypt invaded Israeli land in 1973.

Thousands were killed during the 19[-]day conflict.

Netanyahu told the Knesset: 'The enemy can surprise us. Israel will not fall asleep on its watch again', according to the Times of Israel.

He said Israel would never again 'underestimate an enemy' or ignore warning signs. » | Becky Evans | Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Inside Story: Iran: Breaking the Nuclear Deadlock?

As Tehran has started fresh talks about its disputed nuclear programme, we ask if the US is ready to ease sanctions.

Iran and World Powers Begin Nuclear Talks

Two days of negotiations in Geneva over Tehran's disputed programme are the first since election of President Rouhani.

World Risks 'Historic Mistake' on Iran, Warns Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The world risks making a 'historic mistake’ if it eases the pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned on the eve of crucial negotiations to resolve the crisis.

The world risks making a “historic mistake” if it eases the pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned last night on the eve of crucial negotiations to resolve the crisis.

Talks resume in Geneva for the first time in six months today with expectations high for a compromise deal that could see Britain, America and other Western countries abandon crushing sanctions in return for Tehran accepting strict controls on its atomic facilities. Iran’s chief negotiator even suggested yesterday that a “road map” for a peaceful solution to the impasse could be agreed by tomorrow.

But Mr Netanyahu warned that it was only the crippling economic pressure of sanctions that had forced Iran back to the negotiating table in the first place and that it would be foolish to relax them now. “It would be a historic mistake to ease the pressure on Iran a moment before the sanctions achieve their objective,” he said. “Particularly at this moment we must not give up on them, we must keep up the pressure.”

Any move to let up would strengthen Iran’s “uncompromising elements” around the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who would be “perceived as the winner”, Mr Netanyahu said. » | Damien McElroy | Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Israeli Air Force Pilots Warn Iran

Israel's air force is sending a message "straight from its wingtips to the Ayatollah's ears." Jim Clancy reports.