Netanyahu: Iran Deal on Current Framework 'Would Threaten the Survival of Israel'

After speaking with President Obama today about the framework agreement reached between the P5+1 and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned “a deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel.”

“Just two days ago, Iran said that ‘the destruction of Israel is non-negotiable,’ and in these fateful days Iran is accelerating the arming of its terror proxies to attack Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement posted by the prime minister’s office.

“This deal would legitimize Iran’s nuclear program, bolster Iran’s economy, and increase Iran’s aggression and terror throughout the Middle East and beyond,” he said. “Such a deal would not block Iran’s path to the bomb. It would pave it. It would increase the risks of nuclear proliferation in the region and the risks of a horrific war.”

Netanyahu said the alternative is “standing firm and increasing the pressure on Iran until a better deal is achieved.”

The White House, in a readout of the call from Air Force One, said Obama “emphasized that, while nothing is agreed until everything is, the framework represents significant progress towards a lasting, comprehensive solution that cuts off all of Iran’s pathways to a bomb and verifiably ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program going forward.”

“He underscored that progress on the nuclear issue in no way diminishes our concerns with respect to Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism and threats towards Israel and emphasized that the United States remains steadfast in our commitment to the security of Israel,” the administration said. “The President told the Prime Minister that he has directed his national security team to increase consultations with the new Israeli government about how we can further strengthen our long-term security cooperation with Israel and remain vigilant in countering Iran’s threats.”

While delivering a heated defense of the agreement earlier in the Rose Garden, Obama said, “It’s no secret that the Israeli prime minister and I don’t agree about whether the United States should move forward with a peaceful resolution to the Iranian issue.”

“If, in fact, Prime Minister Netanyahu is looking for the most effective way to ensure Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon, this is the best option,” Obama added. “And I believe our nuclear experts can confirm that.”