Barack Obama: Iran Will Continue to Be a Problem for the Region

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, stated that Iran will continue to be a problem for the region even after the nuclear agreement, but the nuclear negotiations prevented a catastrophic issue, namely Tehran's acquisition of nuclear weapons. Mr. Obama's remarks were made on Tuesday, July 30, during a television program with the famous American comedian Jon Stewart. He mentioned that critics of the nuclear agreement with Iran believe he should have sent Dick Cheney (former Vice President of the United States) to the negotiations. According to the Associated Press and The New York Times, Barack Obama regarded the nuclear negotiations with Iran as a concrete example of his belief in diplomacy over war. He stated that Iran has an anti-American and anti-Israeli government, but you do not make peace with your friends. Mr. Obama emphasized that the United States does not suffer any harm from this agreement and that the future President of the United States will have more options regarding Iran because of such an agreement. Before this television interview, he also equated some opponents of the nuclear agreement with supporters of the Iraq War, saying they are the same ones who claimed the Iraq War would only last a few months. In his interview with Jon Stewart, Barack Obama again attacked critics of the Vienna nuclear agreement, stating they believe he should have sent Dick Cheney to negotiate with Iran and that if Cheney were in the negotiations, 'everything would have been fine.' Dick Cheney, the Vice President under George W. Bush, is a major proponent of the Iraq War and has heavily criticized Barack Obama's foreign policy, especially regarding the nuclear negotiations. Last Tuesday, in an interview with Fox News, he attacked the nuclear agreement with Iran, saying it not only enables Iran to acquire nuclear weapons but also incentivizes Iran's enemies in the region to develop their own nuclear programs, leading to an arms race in the region. However, Mr. Obama's statements on Jon Stewart's television program prompted a reaction from Dick Cheney's daughter, who emphasized that her father would never have accepted this agreement. Liz Cheney stated in an interview with Fox News, 'I think it is clear that Dick Cheney would have reached a better agreement. Frankly, it is hard to imagine that anyone could not reach a better agreement than this.' According to Ms. Cheney, her father would never have agreed to lift sanctions on the Revolutionary Guard and release '150 billion dollars' of Iran's frozen assets because it is 'fantasy' to think that Iran would use the freed money for domestic purposes and not for 'supporting terrorism.' These statements come as the Obama administration has emphasized that the nuclear agreement with Iran has prevented another war in the Middle East and that Iran will not be able to acquire nuclear weapons with this agreement. In this context, Samantha Power: This agreement does not mean overlooking human rights violations in Iran. Velayati: Iran's regional policies will not change after the nuclear agreement. Fabius: France's tough stance will not have a negative impact on relations with Iran. The U.S. Secretary of Defense: We are committed to countering Iran's harmful influence in the region. Araghchi: If a resolution contradicts national interests, we will act according to our policy.