Obama: Israeli Elections Have Little Impact on Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, stated in an interview with the Huffington Post that the Israeli elections, which resulted in the re-election of Benjamin Netanyahu, do not significantly affect the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran. The full text of the interview was published on the first day of Farvardin (the Persian calendar), and in a part referenced by the French news agency, Obama remarked about the Israeli elections and their potential impact on nuclear talks, saying, 'I don't think it has a significant impact.' Iran and the so-called P5+1 countries have been engaged in negotiations over the past months aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement that would provide a way to prove the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program while also finding a way to alleviate the multitude of sanctions imposed on Tehran. Benjamin Netanyahu is considered one of the main critics of the nuclear negotiations and had stated in a speech before the Israeli elections in the U.S. Congress that the current potential agreement would not prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and would actually pave the way for it. In his interview with the Huffington Post, Barack Obama mentioned, 'There is deep skepticism in Israel about Iran, and it is understandable. Iran has made offensive statements (about Israel). Anti-Semitic remarks, comments about destroying Israel.' The U.S. President added, 'That is exactly why I said even before I became president that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb.' Tehran has consistently emphasized that its goal in advancing its nuclear program is peaceful and that it has no intention of building nuclear weapons. Obama stated, 'What is crucial in reaching an agreement is whether Iran is willing to prove to the world that it is not producing a nuclear bomb and whether we can verify its truthfulness regularly and unexpectedly.' According to the U.S. President, such verification has not yet been achieved; 'but they have moved forward, so there is a possibility (of achieving it).' The nuclear negotiations, which were ongoing until the last day of the previous Persian year in Lausanne, Switzerland, will resume on the fifth of Farvardin. In this context, the position of Western powers is united: it is time for tough decisions from Iran. Khamenei: Lifting sanctions without delay must be part of the nuclear agreement. Kerry: We have made real progress; it is time for fundamental decisions. France: The agreement with Iran must prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.