Obama: We Remain Concerned About Iran's Destabilizing Actions Even If a Deal is Reached

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, acknowledged the concerns of regional countries regarding Iran, stating that even if Washington reaches an agreement with Tehran over its nuclear program, worries about the Islamic Republic's "destabilizing actions" in the region will persist. In an interview with Al Arabiya on Friday, May 25, Obama said, "Even if we reach an agreement on the nuclear issue, we will still be concerned about those actions carried out not only by Iran, the Quds Force, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but also by proxies like Hezbollah {Lebanon}." This response was given to a question about the main topics of his recent meeting with leaders of Gulf Arab states at Camp David. Obama provided an example, stating that "if the Revolutionary Guard sends weapons into Yemen {for the Houthis} and near the borders of Saudi Arabia, that would be a source of concern." The U.S. President emphasized, "America has been very clear that a nuclear-armed Iran is potentially more dangerous and reckless. Therefore, it is in everyone's interest to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. We have positively shown the path for Iran's engagement with the global community: engagement in trade, commerce, education, and scientific exchanges; this is the path we hope Iran will take." Obama also mentioned that the U.S. "cannot simply trust the Iranians to adhere to the {nuclear} agreement." He stated that "this must be verifiable," adding, "Therefore, part of what we did in this meeting {at Camp David} was to clarify the unprecedented measures we will take for verification, inspection, and monitoring of nuclear activities within Iran." Obama emphasized, "Based on the framework we are now trying to remind, Iran will be subject to inspections that have never been seen before." At the Camp David summit, the U.S. President also assured Gulf Arab states that Washington would defend them against any military threats. He stressed the importance of strengthening security cooperation with the Arabs. Arab countries are concerned that a potential and final agreement between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program could lead to increased influence of the Islamic Republic in the region and further instability. The U.S., France, Britain, China, Russia, Germany, and Iran have set July 10 of this year as their deadline for reaching a comprehensive and final agreement on the controversial nuclear program of the Islamic Republic.