IRAN-NUCLEAR/NETANYAHU Netanyahu calls Iran nuclear deal 'bad mistake'

Record ID: 147028

  • Title: IRAN-NUCLEAR/NETANYAHU Netanyahu calls Iran nuclear deal 'bad mistake'
  • Date: 16th July 2015
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (JULY 14, 2015) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING: The entire world is now under assault by militant Islam. The militant Shi'ites led by Iran, the militant Sunnis led by DASH, ISIS. We know that we have to defend our lives but also our values and those values we hold dear as you do. That's why we hold our friendshi
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2GBH0B6V7U2LNQUFS38450DIA
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement reached on Tuesday (July 14) by Iran and major world powers on Tehran's nuclear programme as a "bad mistake of stark proportions".
    Speaking at a media conference in Jerusalem, he said the deal puts many places, including Israel, in danger from militants.
    "The entire world is now under assault by militant Islam. The militant Shi'ites led by Iran, the militant Sunnis led by DAESH, ISIS. We know that we have to defend our lives but also our values and those values we hold dear as you do. That's why we hold our friendship dear," he said at a joint news conference in Jerusalem with Dutch Foreign minister Bert Koenders.
    He then went on to say he would do what he could to block Iran's nuclear ambitions.
    "I'll have more to say later today about the impending Iran deal but our concern of course is that the militant Islamic state of Iran is going to receive a sure path to nuclear weapons. Many of the restrictions that were supposed to prevent it from getting there will be lifted and in addition Iran will get a jackpot, a cash bonanza of hundreds of millions of dollars, which will enable it to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region and in the world. This is a bad mistake of stark proportions. I think we will continue to have the job of defending our way of life, our freedoms and our security," he said.
    Having failed to prevent the deal, Israel will try to bog down its approval by the U.S. Congress while ramping up efforts to flag any violations by Tehran that might trigger renewed sanctions - or even a pre-emptive Israeli attack.
    The U.S. Congress has 60 days to review the deal, and if it votes to disapprove of it, Obama can veto the rejection.
    It would require two thirds of lawmakers to override such a veto, which means some of Obama's fellow Democrats would have to rebel against one of the signature achievements of their president in order to kill the deal.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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