Obama briefs Netanyahu on Iran nuclear deal, seeks to reassure PM

US president to PM says Washington wants to begin immediate consultations with Israel regarding comprehensive Iran solution.

By MICHAEL WILNER, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT
Netanyahu and Obama 370 (photo credit: JASON REED / REUTERS)
Netanyahu and Obama 370
(photo credit: JASON REED / REUTERS)
WASHINGTON -- US President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on Sunday from Air Force One to discuss the interim agreement struck between world powers and Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
In the call, Obama told Netanyahu that the P5+1 — the US, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany — would use the next several months to forge a "lasting, peaceful and comprehensive" solution to the slow-motion nuclear crisis causing consternation throughout the Middle East.
"The president told the Prime Minister that he wants the United States and Israel to begin consultations immediately regarding our efforts to negotiate a comprehensive solution," the White House said in a readout of the call.
"The President underscored that the United States will remain firm in our commitment to Israel, which has good reason to be skeptical about Iran’s intentions."
While the White House said both leaders expressed their mutual desire to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, it did not acknowledge any disagreement voiced in the phone call.
Netanyahu on Sunday called the deal, hailed by the US, a "historic mistake" that would make the region more dangerous tomorrow than it was before.
After a hard series of negotiations, Iran agreed late Saturday night to pause much of its nuclear program, including construction on its heavy-water plutonium reactor in Arak and the installation of advanced centrifuges made to efficiently enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. Iran also agreed to allow unfettered access to its nuclear sites and to dilute stockpiles of uranium already thoroughly enriched.
In exchange, the Islamic will attain relief from financial sanctions from the international community valued at up to $7 billion.