Obama to Democratic Senators: I am not seeking a 'bad deal with Iran'

The President of the United States assured Democratic senators that he is not looking for a 'bad deal' with Iran and urged them to be patient until the end of negotiations. According to the Associated Press, Barack Obama, who has recently faced disagreements with some Democratic representatives regarding an economic agreement, spoke with them at the White House on Wednesday, July 8. Some senators present at the meeting stated that the main focus of discussions with the President was on Iran's nuclear negotiations. It was expected that with the end of the previously set deadline for negotiations with Iran, Mr. Obama would submit the text of the agreement to the Senate and allow a month for review. The report indicates that there has been no opposition from Democratic senators regarding the extension of the negotiations deadline with Iran. The website 'Politico' also reported on this meeting, which took place on Tuesday night, noting that the President expressed some skepticism about the talks as the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six world powers continue in Vienna. Senator Dick Durbin stated on Wednesday in an interview with 'Politico': 'Mr. Obama said he believes the chances of reaching an agreement are less than fifty-fifty, and he will not agree to a deal that is weak or unenforceable.' This American senator added: 'The President said that if an agreement is reached that meets his standards, he will ask us to deal with it honestly and not to judge hastily.' Senator Chris Coons also told 'Politico': 'He (Obama) said, 'Don’t get nervous, don’t worry about the words of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and comments in the press. I am not going to sign an agreement that does not allow us to block all paths for Iran to obtain a nuclear bomb.' This Democratic senator added that the President's remarks were a 'reassuring statement.' The nuclear negotiations of the 5+1 group with Iran are ongoing in Vienna and have been extended until this Friday. While U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are present in Vienna, the foreign ministers of France and Britain are also expected to join them. Meanwhile, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, emphasized in an op-ed published in the British newspaper 'Financial Times' on Wednesday that a nuclear agreement between Iran and the West is 'within reach.' Mr. Zarif also stated that reaching such an agreement could pave the way for cooperation between the two sides in 'combating extremism.' The Iranian Foreign Minister added in this article: 'Iran is ready to accept a fair and balanced agreement that can open the horizon for cooperation to address common challenges ahead.' According to Mr. Zarif, 'Among these challenges is the emergence of violent extremism in the heart of the Middle East, which may even extend to Europe.' The Iranian Foreign Minister specifically referred to the attacks by extremist Islamists in France, Kuwait, and Tunisia. Mr. Zarif described the sanctions imposed against Iran as 'the most discriminatory sanctions imposed against a nation in history' and stated that his counterparts (the foreign ministers of the 5+1 countries) rightly opened the door for negotiations but must make a precise decision between reaching an agreement and threats. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated before leaving Tehran for Russia to attend the Shanghai summit: 'The Islamic Republic is preparing itself for the post-negotiations or post-sanctions era.' According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Mr. Rouhani explained his trip by saying: 'Three summits are being held simultaneously in the city of Ufa, and the views of the Islamic Republic will be expressed at the Shanghai and BRICS summits.' The Iranian President said: 'In addition, we have side meetings with various countries, especially since two countries from those attending these summits, namely Russia and China, are among the 1+5 countries. Our negotiations with the 1+5 are also going through sensitive days, and the Islamic Republic is preparing itself for the post-negotiations or post-sanctions era.' Reaching a nuclear agreement in the relationship between Iran and the United States is considered a significant event following the revolution in Iran and the severance of relations between the two countries, and it would be a major achievement for both Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani, the Presidents of the two countries, especially as both are under pressure from domestic hardliners.