Netanyahu: Nuclear Agreement with Iran is Progressing 'Worse than Before'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the agreement with Iran, which he previously called a 'bad deal', is continuing to 'worsen' and 'constantly moving in Iran's favor'. According to CNN, Mr. Netanyahu stated on July 15, 'As far as we can see, every day the P5+1 group is yielding to Iran's demands and the agreement is becoming worse and worse. This agreement paves the way for Iran to reach a nuclear arsenal.' The agreement mentioned by the Israeli Prime Minister has not yet been finalized, and global powers and Iran are negotiating to finalize it. Imposing restrictions for 15 years on Iran's nuclear program and lifting sanctions on the Islamic Republic are among the issues that are reportedly likely to be included in the final agreement. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, told CNN on Tuesday, 'If the U.S. takes constructive actions, closer cooperation and exchange between the two sides can exist.' American negotiators hope to reach a final agreement with Iran within the next two days. The U.S. Congress has set a deadline for the U.S. government to submit the proposed agreement to Congress by July 9 – in two days – for a one-month review. The report indicates that Iranian negotiators have stated, however, that they do not have a specific deadline in mind. An Iranian negotiator told CNN, 'We have extended negotiations since June 30, but no specific deadline has been set.' Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Sunday that he reminded Secretary of State John Kerry of the desired deadline for reaching an agreement with Iran, but added that 'red lines should not be crossed.' Benjamin Netanyahu had previously stated that the agreement with Iran would be a 'bad deal' during the early stages of nuclear negotiations. He had said in a speech to the U.S. Congress that pressures on Iran should increase to achieve a 'better agreement'. The Israeli Prime Minister stated, 'I can say that what is happening in Vienna (the current site of nuclear negotiations with Iran) is not a breaking of the deadlock but rather a collapse of the principles that the P5+1 had committed to uphold.' Mr. Netanyahu warned that lifting sanctions would mean billions of dollars flowing into Iran, which 'would all be spent on increasing support for terrorism in the region and benefiting Hamas and Hezbollah (Lebanon), whose aim is Israel.' The Israeli Prime Minister added, 'The simple result is that many leaders have told me that not reaching an agreement (with Iran) is better than reaching a bad agreement.' Both Iran and the U.S. have stated that while they are trying to reach a final agreement, they also have their own specific red lines. According to CNN, U.S. officials are seeking full assurance of the review process of Iran's nuclear program. An Iranian official stated, 'We are looking for an agreement, but not at any cost.' On Tuesday, July 16, is the last opportunity for Iran, the U.S., France, the UK, Germany, Russia, and China to find a final solution regarding Iran's nuclear program. Expert and diplomatic teams from these countries have had intensive discussions in Vienna, the capital of Austria, in recent weeks.