Israeli Security Cabinet Unanimously Rejects Iran Nuclear Agreement

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, had a phone conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel who opposes the nuclear agreement with Iran, and U.S. Defense Secretary is set to visit Israel. According to Reuters, the Israeli Prime Minister's office stated that the text of the potential agreement with Iran was reviewed by the Israeli Security Cabinet and was unanimously rejected. The Prime Minister's office also mentioned that 'Israel does not consider itself committed to accepting this agreement.' The White House announced on Tuesday, July 23, that Barack Obama had a phone conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu and assured him that the U.S. is committed to maintaining Israel's security. The White House also stated that as mentioned in this phone conversation, 'Ashton Carter,' the U.S. Secretary of Defense, will travel to Israel next week. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, called the agreement reached between Iran and world powers a 'historical mistake.' Mr. Netanyahu even spoke in Congress against the White House's opposition and called for 'preventing a bad agreement with Iran.' The Israeli Prime Minister stated that pressure on Iran should be increased to later reach a 'good agreement.' Barack Obama stated on Tuesday at the announcement of the agreement with Iran that such an agreement 'prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb' and is in line with protecting the interests and security of the U.S. and its close allies, including 'Israel.' Meanwhile, Vladimir Sazhin, an expert from the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told the Interfax news agency that even with this agreement, Israel may still pursue military action to limit Iran's nuclear activities. He added: 'According to the agreement, Iran's nuclear activities are to be monitored and if a mistake is made, sanctions will be reinstated. However, Israel closely monitors Iran's nuclear program, and if it sees any mistake, its response may not be to impose sanctions.' Vladimir Sazhin said: 'According to the agreement reached with Iran, Iran can pursue its nuclear program. Any potential deviation from this framework – even the slightest – could incur costs for Iran, and Israel may resort to force.' Iran and the P5+1 group, consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, finally reached a comprehensive agreement on Tehran's nuclear program after two years of negotiations on Tuesday, an agreement that means the lifting of financial sanctions against Iran in connection with its nuclear activities. Meanwhile, Iran will also limit its nuclear program. This event immediately drew reactions from Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani, the Presidents of the U.S. and Iran, respectively. Mr. Obama emphasized that this agreement closes the pathways for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Hassan Rouhani also stated that Iran has achieved all its goals regarding the lifting of sanctions and the continuation of its nuclear activities with this agreement. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also, on Tuesday, in a meeting with the government delegation, only praised the Iranian negotiating team and called their efforts in these negotiations 'sincere and diligent.' In this context, the 'storm of the nuclear agreement' on social media includes Obama's message: inspections anytime, anywhere; an agreement based on verification, not trust; Rouhani: with the Vienna nuclear agreement, we achieved all our goals; a list of Iranian individuals and entities that will be removed from the sanctions list; strong criticism from some members of the U.S. Congress regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran; the timeline for the implementation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six global powers; Khamenei's first reaction to the agreement was merely to praise the Iranian negotiating team.