Obama: Agreement with Iran is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

The President of the United States reiterated his support for the Lausanne agreement, stating that this is a unique opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to establish stability in the Middle East. Barack Obama, in an interview with Thomas Friedman, a columnist for the New York Times, published on April 5, stated that finalizing an agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program is 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to stop nuclear weapon production and bring stability to the Middle East. Obama mentioned that if Israel is attacked, the U.S. will defend it, while also acknowledging that his efforts to achieve diplomatic results regarding Tehran's nuclear program have caused tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv. On the same day that the interview was published, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated in an interview with CNN that the framework of the agreement between Iran and the world powers in Lausanne is a 'bad deal.' He claimed that there is a 'third way' besides war and a bad deal, which is to 'intensify pressure' on Tehran. According to Obama, U.S.-Israeli relations are going through a 'difficult period,' and he finds it 'hard' that his administration is criticized for being 'disregardful of Israeli interests.' The U.S. President emphasized that there is still much work and many details to be finalized. He stated, 'I have made it clear that Iran will not have a nuclear bomb during my presidency, and I think they should understand what I mean.' However, he added, 'I hope these diplomatic measures will be fruitful.' Tehran has always emphasized that the goal of its nuclear program is to achieve peaceful capabilities, not to produce nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, non-cooperation with the international community during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency led to sanctions against Iran from the UN Security Council, as well as separately from the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. President also noted that there is still much work and many details remaining and spoke about 'real political challenges' in implementing the agreement in both countries. These comments come as Republican opponents of Barack Obama in the U.S. Congress insist on voting regarding the final agreement with Iran; Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated on April 5 that the committee will review a plan on April 14 (next week) that aims to require the President to submit the final agreement for review and voting in Congress. Obama had previously threatened to veto such a plan. In Iran, on the same Sunday, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister, had a verbal clash with conservative representative Javad Karimi Qodusi during one of the 'unprecedented' sessions of the National Security Commission regarding the Lausanne agreement, leading 'security forces' to escort journalists and 'other individuals present in the session out of the commission.' Two days after reaching the framework of the final agreement in Lausanne, Obama stated that diplomacy is the best way to contain Iran's nuclear program. In another part of the interview with the New York Times, he referred to the letters exchanged between himself and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Obama stated that he still does not fully understand Khamenei's intentions because 'understanding him is difficult.' According to the U.S. President, these letters contain 'many reminders of his considerations regarding past grievances.' He noted that these writings indicate that the Iranian leader has allowed his negotiators to make concessions. Obama said, 'Who knows?... Maybe Iran will change.' But if it does not - according to Obama - the United States will be 'the greatest firepower' against any possibility. Obama described his doctrine as follows: we cooperate. But we also maintain all our capabilities. And I have made it clear that Iran will not achieve nuclear weapons during my presidency. They should understand what I mean. But I have expressed hope that these diplomatic measures will be fruitful and that this will herald a new horizon in Iran-U.S. relations, and equally important; a new era in Iran's relations with its neighbors. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that the leader of the Islamic Republic responded to the U.S. President's letter and wrote him a confidential letter.