BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday met with US President Barack Obama in Washington and both leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining the pressure of sanctions and a credible military threat while engaging in dialogue over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Netanyahu and Obama met at the White House after Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani last week indicated a willingness to open dialogue with the international community over his country’s nuclear development, culminating in a fifteen minute phone conversation between Rouhani and Obama. However, speaking alongside Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Obama said that “given the statements and actions from the Iranian regime in the past,” it is “absolutely clear that words are not sufficient, that we have to have actions” to show “that they [Iran] are not in a position to have a nuclear weapon.” Obama reassured Netanyahu that although “we have to test diplomacy,” he would enter talks with Iran “very clear-eyed” and would demand “the highest standards of verification” before reconsidering sanctions on Iran. Obama also reiterated “we take no options off the table, including military options” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu expressed appreciation for Obama’s commitment that “Iran’s conciliatory words have to be matched by real actions” and “the enormous work” regarding sanctions. However, he said that “Iran is committed to Israel’s destruction” and “if diplomacy is to work” then the “combination of a credible military threat and… sanctions” must be kept in place. Indeed, he said that “if Iran continues to advance its nuclear program during negotiations, the sanctions should be strengthened.” Netanyahu also reiterated his commitment to current peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, commenting “I hope that we can achieve an historic transformation” for both peoples.

Netanyahu also met yesterday with US Secretary of State John Kerry. Later this evening, Netanyahu will deliver a speech at the United Nations’ General Assembly, which is also expected to focus on Iran.