Obama Phones Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Discuss Iran Nuclear Deal

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama has phoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a tentative deal with Iran over its nuclear program.

In this Sept. 30, 2013, file photo, President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. (Image source: AP/Charles Dharapak) 

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters traveling with Obama on Sunday that the United States looks forward to consulting with its ally Israel on international negotiations with Tehran. Earnest says the White House understands Israel's skepticism about Iran's intentions.

In an early morning announcement, Tehran agreed Sunday to a six-month pause of its nuclear program while diplomats continue talks aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Netanyahu criticized the deal, calling it a "historic mistake" and saying he was not bound by the agreement.

The AP reported Sunday after a nuclear deal had been struck that the U.S. and Iran engaged in secret face-to-face talks over the past year that were personally approved by Obama.

The talks were “kept hidden even from America’s closest friends, including its negotiating partners and Israel” until just two months ago, according to the AP.

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