Despite US President Obama’s claim that Netanyahu has yet to present a good alternative to the current preliminary nuclear agreement, the Israeli leader insists that a better deal is possible – and explains how.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing with his relentless campaign to thwart the nuclear deal between the P5+1 powers and Iran, warning that “in the last few days, Iran has shown again why it can’t be trusted,” and insisting that a good and safe deal is still obtainable.
Iran and the six global powers have announced a framework nuclear deal, but it seems that there was no clear agreement, Netanyahu pointed out in a statement.
“Iran insists on maintaining its formidable nuclear capabilities with which it could produce nuclear bombs. Iran insists on removing all sanctions immediately,” even though the agreement states that they will be removed in phases, in tandem with Iran’s compliance with the deal, “and Iran refuses to allow effective inspections of all its suspect facilities,” he said.
While supposedly negotiating for a peaceful resolution, “Iran continues its unbridled aggression in the region and its terrorism throughout the world,” Netanyahu charged.
US President Barack Obama claimed on Saturday that he had asked Netanyahu several times to present an alternative that would make it “less likely for Iran to get a nuclear weapon — I’ve yet to obtain a good answer on that.”
Netanyahu responded to Obama’s assertion, reiterating the two main components he believes should serve as the basis of the alternative to a “bad deal.”
“First,” he said, “instead of allowing Iran to preserve and develop its nuclear capabilities, a better deal would significantly roll back these capabilities – for example, by shutting down the illicit underground facilities that Iran concealed for years from the international community.
“Second, instead of lifting the restrictions on Iran’s nuclear facilities and program at a fixed date, a better deal would link the lifting of these restrictions to an end of Iran’s aggression in the region, its worldwide terrorism and its threats to annihilate Israel.”
The Israeli leader stressed that “Iran needs a deal more than anyone,” as it has been suffering from financial pressure. “Instead of making dangerous concessions to Iran, now is the time for the international community to reassert and fortify its original demands for a better deal,” Netanyahu stated.
“We must not let Iran, the foremost sponsor of global terrorism, have an easy path to nuclear weapons which will threaten the entire world,” Netanyahu concluded.
By: Max Gelber
Staff Writer, United with Israel
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