Exclusive: Obama says Iran must halt key nuclear work for at least a decade

[alp227]

Source: Reuters

Iran must commit to a verifiable freeze of at least 10 years on sensitive nuclear activity for a landmark atomic deal to be reached, but the odds are still against sealing a final agreement, U.S. President Barack Obama told Reuters on Monday.

Interviewed at the White House, Obama moved to dial back tensions over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned speech to Congress on Tuesday opposing the Iran deal, saying it was a distraction that would not be "permanently destructive" to U.S. Israeli ties.

But he strongly criticized Netanyahu's stance and stressed there was a "substantial disagreement" between them over how to achieve their shared goal of preventing Israel's arch foe from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Talks between major powers and Iran to restrict Tehran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for an easing of sanctions have reached a critical stage ahead of an end of March deadline for a framework deal and a June 30 date for a final agreement.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/03/us-usa-obama-idUSKBN0LY2GA20150303

[Cha]

1. YEAH.. worth K&Ring.. mahalo alp! Thanks Obama!

[840high]

2. Iran going to listen to us?

[Fred Sanders]

4. Quick, how many other countries are equal negotiating partners? "Listen" means....what?

The question is really "will Israel 'listen' to anyone"?

[Fred Sanders]

3. Lots of interest in hand wringing over Clinton and an election 18 months away..not much interest for the current President...

DU is turning rapidly into another supermarket tabloid...maybe an UnDiscussionist site is in order.

We won the Presidential election...twice....it is also time for Demorats to GOVERN.

[Bosonic]

5. Iran rejects Obama nuclear call before Netanyahu speech

Iran rejects Obama nuclear call before Netanyahu speech

Iran has rejected as "excessive and illogical" a demand by US President Barack Obama that it freeze sensitive nuclear activity for at least 10 years.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was quoted saying Mr Obama spoke in "unacceptable and threatening" terms.

Mr Zarif said talks on Iran's nuclear programme, which are nearing a critical 31 March deadline, would continue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to urge the US Congress on Tuesday to oppose a deal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31713824

[freebrew]

6. Stupidity...

Obama knows Iran won't accept that deal.
Israel has nukes, hasn't signed the NPT.

[herding cats]

7. It probably won't happen, but this is why it's worth the effort.

"But if they do agree to it, it would be far more effective in controlling their nuclear program than any military action we could take, any military action Israel could take and far more effective than sanctions will be," Obama said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/03/02/obama-netanyahu-speech-not-permanently-destructive-to-u-s-israeli-relations/

It's a case of, it's better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all. A 50% chance of success is better than we've had in the past. That Netanyahu and the GOP are trying to reduce even that percentage is sad, if expected. War is not the only route, even if it's been their preferred method to date. If they were to be honest with themselves they'd see the disaster that path has led them down.

[woo me with science]

8. Meanwhile, U.S. Ramping Up Major Renewal in Nuclear Arms

U.S. Ramping Up Major (TRILLION DOLLAR) Renewal in Nuclear Arms
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/22/us/us-ramping-up-major-renewal-in-nuclear-arms.html?_r=0