President Obama talked with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after reaching an interim nuclear deal with Iran, vowing to work together with one of the United States’ closest allies on a comprehensive solution, the White House said Sunday.
Obama called Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss the deal that the U.S. and five other world leaders reached to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting some sanctions, amid the prime minister’s outspoken concerns the agreement still allows Iran to pursue a nuclear weapon.
“The two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” the White House said.
Officials said the president said the U.S. and the other countries will “use the months ahead to pursue a lasting, peaceful, and comprehensive solution that would resolve the international community’s concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”
They also said Obama made clear he wants the U.S. and Israel to begin consultations immediately on efforts to negotiate a comprehensive solution and underscored his country’s “firm … commitment to Israel, which has good reason to be skeptical about Iran’s intentions.”
Obama spoke with Netanyahu just hours after the prime minister harshly condemned the international community’s nuclear deal with Iran, calling it a “historic mistake” and saying he was not bound by the agreement, Fox news informs.
