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Obama calls Netanyahu, US Defence Secretary to visit Israel

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US President Barack Obama called Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night to discuss the nuclear deal which was agreed with Iran earlier in the day. Obama assured Netanyahu that Washington’s concern over Iranian backing for terror has not weakened.

Netanyahu has consistently made clear his opposition to the deal, which he continued to convey yesterday. He warned that “The leading international powers have bet our collective future on a deal with the foremost sponsor of international terrorism… They’ve gambled that in 10 years’ time, Iran’s terrorist regime will change.”

According to Netanyahu’s office, during the call with Obama, he highlighted two major concerns over the nuclear deal, saying “The agreement will allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons either after adhering to the agreement for 10-15 years, or by violating it beforehand. In addition, [the deal] will pump billions of dollars to the Iranian terror and war machine, which threatens Israel and the entire world.”

However, Obama reassured Netanyahu that the nuclear agreement “will not diminish our concerns regarding Iran’s support for terrorism and threats toward Israel.” The White House said that Obama “underscored his Administration’s stalwart commitment to Israel’s security” and said that the deal “will remove the spectre of a nuclear-armed Iran, an outcome in the national security interest of the United States and Israel.”

Meanwhile, President Obama also said that US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter will visit Israel next week. He said that Carter’s visit is a “reflection of the unprecedented level of security cooperation between the United States and Israel.” It would, said Obama, be a “further opportunity” for close security coordination between the two countries “as we remain vigilant in countering the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities in the region.”

It was also reported yesterday that Israel’s Air Force will participate in a major American air exercise for the first time since 2009. “Red Flag” usually simulates aerial combat and dealing with ground-to-air missiles. The exercise will take place at Nellis Air Force Base.