Obama: Weakening Diplomacy Regarding Iran is a Mistake in the Current Sensitive Situation

Barack Obama defended the U.S. government's policy in nuclear negotiations in an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN. A part of this conversation had been published earlier. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, reiterated that he would 'veto' new congressional sanctions against Iran. Mr. Obama stated that weakening diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute in the current sensitive circumstances is a mistake. In his interview with Fareed Zakaria's program aired on Sunday, February 1, he said: 'We have designed and implemented very effective sanctions against Iran to compel them to come to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Based on available information, especially reports from Israeli intelligence, Iran has adhered to the provisions of the interim agreement (Geneva) and its nuclear program has not progressed, and its stockpile of high-enriched uranium has been reduced.' Iran and the countries of the U.S., Britain, France, China, and Russia, along with Germany, the 1+5 group, reached a temporary agreement in Geneva in 2013 to resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute. Under this agreement, Iran halted parts of its nuclear activities and in return, some sanctions against Iran were lifted. The U.S. President emphasized: 'We have not lost anything in the current negotiations. Iran's nuclear program has not progressed, and we now have the chance to provide a mechanism to verify that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and that Iran will be able to rejoin the international community as a responsible member.' However, Barack Obama stressed that he does not know whether such an agreement will ultimately be reached. The U.S. President stated that congressional action to impose new sanctions against Iran by members of the 1+5 group would be viewed as a violation of the Geneva agreement. Barack Obama said: 'For us, weakening diplomacy in such a sensitive time without solid justification would be a mistake. What we need to do is conclude the negotiations and increase pressure on Iran to respond positively to international demands.' Nevertheless, the U.S. President reiterated that he would 'veto' any new sanctions imposed by Congress against Iran. Barack Obama further stated: 'As I have said before, not reaching an agreement is better than a bad agreement (with Iran).' In response to the question of how he would be able to gain the approval of a Republican-controlled Congress for any agreement with Iran, he said: 'If I can prove that the agreement we reach will assure us that through a reliable verification mechanism, Iran will not reach a breakout stage (to build a nuclear weapon), if our scientists and nuclear experts assure us that Iran is not on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon, then this will be our public discussion (regarding such an agreement).' Barack Obama added: 'I will ask every member of Congress why such an agreement should be rejected and whether they prefer a military option, which is less effective in stopping and slowing down Iran's nuclear program and would have extraordinary consequences, especially given the numerous conflicts and tensions in the Middle East.' The U.S. President emphasized: 'I am confident that my argument will win such a debate.' In this context, Barack Obama: Meeting with Netanyahu before Israeli elections is 'inappropriate.' Netanyahu: The likelihood of a final agreement between 1+5 and Iran in the coming weeks. Obama will 'veto' the bill requiring congressional approval for a comprehensive agreement with Iran.