Abandoning Iran nuclear deal could mean war – Obama
US President Barack Obama has defended
the international nuclear agreement with Iran and warned the US Congress
that blocking the pact could spark a war in the Middle East.
Obama’s speech at a Washington university
came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a
campaign on Wednesday to mobilise Jewish Americans to urge the
Republican-led Congress to thwart the historic agreement.
“It is a very good deal,” Obama said.
“Every nation in the world that has
commented publicly with the exception of the Israeli government has
expressed support,” Obama said.
“I recognise (Israeli) Prime Minister
Netanyahu disagrees, disagrees strongly – I do not doubt his sincerity –
but I believe he is wrong.”
Under the agreement reached between Iran
and a group of six world powers known as the P5+1, the countries agreed
to lift economic sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on its
nuclear programme.
Obama
warned that abandoning the July 14 pact could accelerate Tehran’s path
to a bomb and America’s credibility around the world would be seriously
damaged if it refused to abide by the terms of the deal in lifting
sanctions against Iran.
Comments