Benjamin Netanyahu to Speak in U.S. Congress on Iran

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has announced that he will speak in the U.S. Congress in March. This speech, following an invitation from John Boehner, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been described by the White House as a violation of protocols between the two countries. John Boehner announced on Wednesday that he had invited the Israeli Prime Minister to address the threats posed by Iran and extremist Islam in Congress. In his invitation, February 11, corresponding to Bahman 22, has been set as the date for the Israeli Prime Minister's speech. According to Reuters, Mr. Netanyahu stated in his announcement on Thursday, Bahman 2, that he is "honored to accept this invitation" and will use the opportunity to "express appreciation to Barack Obama, the President of the United States, Congress, and the people of the United States for their support of Israel." Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, announced on Wednesday that according to ceremonial protocol, it is the leader of a country who should invite the leader of another country, and the President of the United States has not extended an invitation to Benjamin Netanyahu. Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress are at odds over how to deal with Iran's nuclear program. While the Obama administration argues that diplomacy and negotiations with Iran and the six world powers should be given a chance to reach a comprehensive and final agreement, the U.S. Congress is seeking to intensify sanctions on Tehran to pressure the Islamic Republic. Benjamin Netanyahu shares a similar view with the U.S. Congress and has repeatedly stated that Iranian officials are trying to deceive world public opinion and will not abandon their efforts to achieve nuclear weapons. Mr. Obama stated in his annual address to the U.S. Congress that new sanctions against Iran while negotiations are ongoing would guarantee the failure of diplomacy and therefore he would veto them. Talks between Iran and the six world powers to finalize Tehran's nuclear program have been extended until late June, and both sides hope to reach an agreement before this date to end a decade of disputes over the nature of this program.