Netanyahu: Possibility of Final Agreement Between P5+1 and Iran in Coming Weeks

The Hebrew section of Israel Radio reported on Monday, February 25, that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has reiterated that it is possible to reach a "final nuclear agreement between Iran and the powers in the coming weeks," but from Israel's perspective, it would be "bad" and "unacceptable." Sources from the Israeli Prime Minister's office also told their media on Sunday night that an agreement between Iran and the world powers might be finalized in March. The negotiating countries typically inform the Israeli government about the details of the nuclear talks with Iran. On Sunday, February 25, Netanyahu stated in his government meeting in Jerusalem that as the Prime Minister of Israel, he feels "obligated to defend the life and survival of Israel." He also mentioned that he would go wherever invited to defend Israel's interests and express the country's positions to highlight the dangers posed by Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu was responding to criticisms raised in the U.S. and Israel regarding his planned visit to Washington in March to speak before Congress. Last week, the invitation from John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House, for Netanyahu to speak in Congress faced discontent from the White House and the Obama administration. However, Boehner stated in his latest comments on Sunday, February 25, that Congress had informed the White House of the invitation a few hours before the official announcement. Boehner told CBS, "No one in the world is better than Netanyahu at explaining the threats posed by radical Islamist terrorism and Iran's nuclear program." At the same time, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate, said on CBS's "60 Minutes" that he disagrees with President Obama’s rejection of intensified sanctions against Iran. McConnell stated that increasing sanctions would make Iran understand that if they do not agree, their situation will worsen, and the approval of sanctions would give Iranians "motivation." According to McConnell, new sanctions would only be implemented if a final agreement with Iran is not reached. Negotiations between Iran and the world powers for a final nuclear agreement are still ongoing, with a new round of talks scheduled for Thursday, March 1, in Istanbul. Iran considers its nuclear program peaceful and seeks the complete lifting of sanctions.