Obama: Summary of Negotiations with Iran Provided to Israel and Regional Countries

The President of the United States stated that the U.S., Israel, and some other countries have been kept informed about the nuclear negotiations with Iran. According to the Associated Press, Barack Obama said on Tuesday, March 24, during a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that he would not comment on a report regarding Israeli espionage on the secret negotiations between Iran and six world powers, but assured that information about the nuclear negotiation process with Iran has been provided to Israel and regional countries. His reference to Israeli espionage pertains to a report published by the Wall Street Journal on March 23, claiming that Israel has been spying on the closed-door nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers. Israel has denied this report. He further stated that negotiations will only lead to an agreement when the U.S. is confident that this agreement will prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb. The U.S. President continued that after the nuclear agreement, all parties can be informed about the details of the negotiations to ensure that a good agreement has been reached. Iran and the six world powers are striving to reach a political agreement by the end of March (April 11) and a comprehensive nuclear agreement by the end of June. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, announced on Tuesday that if a political agreement with Iran is not reached by the end of this month, a bill to intensify sanctions on Iran will be put to a vote in the Senate. He stated that if no agreement is reached, 'another heavy wave of sanctions will be an appropriate remedy.' This American senator further mentioned that if an agreement is reached, American lawmakers should pass a bill requiring the President to send the text of the agreement to Congress for approval. Obama has threatened to veto both bills. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have attempted to delay the voting on these bills until mid-next month. However, Republicans, who hold the majority in both legislative chambers in the U.S., are concerned that the Obama administration may give more concessions to Iran. In this context, John Boehner expressed surprise at the Israeli espionage on the negotiations with Iran. 367 members of Congress stated that restrictions on Iran's nuclear program should continue for decades. Britain stated that Iran must make more concessions for a nuclear agreement. There would be a 'strong reaction' from Congress if the agreement with Iran is sent to the Security Council. Israel denied spying on the negotiation sessions with Iran.