Israel PM Netanyahu talks Iran, nuclear program says ‘Iran is committed to Israel’s destruction’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon, meeting with President Barack Obama September 30, three days after Obama’s historic phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
photo Ron Almo
“The most important challenge is preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said with Obama in the White House Oval Office after the two leaders had a bilateral meeting Monday.
“I appreciate deeply the fact that you have made clear that you remain committed that this goal,” Netanyahu continued. “I also appreciate that your stated that Iran’s conciliatory words have to be matched by real action, transparent, verifiable, meaningful. Iran is committed to Israel’s destruction. So for Israel, the ultimate test of a future with Iran is whether or not Iran dismantles its military nuclear program.”
President Obama spoke against an Iranian nuclear weapon program as well.
“It is imperative that Iran dismantle its nuclear weapons,” Obama said. “It is important for American security. It is important for Israeli security. It is important for world security because we cannot tolerate a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world.”
Obama added, “It is absolutely clear that words are not sufficient. We have to have actions to give the international community confidence that they are meeting their international obligations fully and that they are not in a position to have a nuclear weapon.”
President Barack Obama talks with President Hassan Rouhani of Iran during a phone call in the Oval Office, Sept. 27, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
