In call, Obama tells Netanyahu of remaining concerns about Iran's sponsorship of terrorism
The US president says progress on the nuclear front does not diminish concerns about "Iran's sponsorship of terrorism and threats towards Israel,"
By REUTERSObama and Netanyahu(photo credit: REUTERS)
US President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss the agreement reached with Iran to limit its nuclear program, the White House said.Obama told Netanyahu that the deal represents significant progress toward a lasting solution that cuts off all of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon, the statement said.Obama also said the progress on the nuclear front did not diminish concerns about "Iran's sponsorship of terrorism and threats towards Israel," the White House said.Earlier, the US president said that "there is no daylight when it comes to our support for Israel's security," Obama stressed, adding that Washington has an unshakable commitment to Israel's defense.Obama already called Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to discuss the deal. He invited Salman and the Gulf Cooperation Council to Camp David for a summit to continue conversations on Iran.On Thursday, world powers agreed to terminate all sanctions on Iran in exchange for its commitment to cap and roll back its nuclear program, officials announced on Thursday after two years of negotiations.Hailed as a breakthrough by the United States, by the European Union and by Iran itself, Israel quickly criticized key tenets of the deal. But all parties agreed the moment was historic, for better or worse.Under the deal, cast as an “understanding” framing the parameters of a larger, more technical agreement due by June 30, Iran will be allowed to continue the enrichment of uranium and will close no facilities.Michael Wilner contributed to this report.
