US & Israel At Odds Over Iranian Action
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US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayanhu fundamentally disagreement over possible military action against Iran’s nuclear program, claimed a report by Reuters on Sunday, with the two leaders set to meet in the White House on Monday to discuss their mutual ties.
US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayanhu fundamentally disagreement over possible military action against Iran’s nuclear program, claimed a report by Reuters on Sunday, with the two leaders set to meet in the White House on Monday to discuss their mutual ties.
Both Obama and Netayanhu have been unable to reach a conclusion on the explicit nuclear “red lines” for Iran, which Tehran cannot cross lest they wish to face military action. The two leaders are reportedly also unable to agree on a time frame for any possible military retaliation against Iran.
According to Reuters, Israel regards Iran’s nuclear advances as “a looming existential threat”, requiring a far shorter and more urgent timeline than what the US has suggested. Israeli leaders also believe they have the right to act alone in self-defence, rather than waiting for any collaborative efforts with the US.
But President Obama, on the other hand, has warned against “loose talk” of war with Iran, saying that the “bluster” over a military strike had been counterproductive because it was driving up global oil prices and boosting demand for Iranian oil. Rather, the US would prefer to give its latest batch of economic sanctions against Iran more time to work.
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“I firmly believe that an opportunity remains for diplomacy – backed by pressure – to succeed,” said Obama during a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), as quoted by RTE News on Sunday.
[quote]”I would ask that we all remember the weightiness of these issues, the stakes involved for Israel, for America, and for the world. Already, there is too much loose talk of war,” he added.[/quote]Still, Obama did give some form of concession towards Israel, particularly as relations between Netanyahu and himself have been strained since talks over the Arab-Israeli peace process.
[quote]”I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say,” said Obama.[/quote]
“When the chips are down, I have Israel’s back,” he said.
Though Netanyahu later said that he appreciated Obama’s comments on Iran, most experts believe that the meeting on Monday would unlikely yield any significant progress on future military action.
“They’ll be looking for mutual understandings and may find a few, but the biggest problem is they’re working on different clocks,” said a source from the White House administration to Reuters.
