Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a very blunt message to President Barack Obama Thursday following the announcement of a tentative deal with Iran aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
Netanyahu told the president that the current framework would threaten the survival of Israel, according to the prime minister's spokesman Mark Regev.
PM Netanyahu to Pres Obama: A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel. #IranTalks— David Keyes (@David Keyes) 1428014359.0
Netanyahu added that the deal would legitimize Iran's nuclear program and not block their path to a bomb, but instead pave its way.
PM Netanyahu: In these fateful days Iran is accelerating the arming of its terror proxies to attack Israel #IranTalks— David Keyes (@David Keyes) 1428014487.0
PM Netanyahu: This deal would legitimize Iran's nuclear program, bolster Iran's economy & increase Iran's aggression & terror #IranTalks— David Keyes (@David Keyes) 1428014527.0
PM Netanyahu: Such a deal would not block Iran's path to the bomb. It would pave it. #IranTalks— David Keyes (@David Keyes) 1428014555.0
PM Netanyahu: It would increase the risks of nuclear proliferation and the risks of a horrific war. #IranTalks— David Keyes (@David Keyes) 1428014584.0
The Israeli leader suggested the alternative would be standing firm and increasing pressure on the country.
PM Netanyahu: The alternative is standing firm and increasing the pressure on Iran until a better deal is achieved. #IranTalks— David Keyes (@David Keyes) 1428014616.0
The White House released a readout of Obama's call to Netanyahu Thursday night.
Obama told the Israeli leader that the deal represents significant progress toward a solution that prevents the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear weapon and emphasized U.S. commitment to Israel.
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