Tensions Escalate Between US, Israel Over Iran Nuclear Talks
November 21, 2013
The U.S. alliance with Israel is being strained by deep disagreements over a possible deal with Iran regarding that country’s controversial nuclear program.
It was just eight months ago that President Barack Obama visited Israel. It was the first foreign trip of his second term - designed to improve relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which have been stressed over the Palestinian conflict.
But now the two men are at serious odds again - this time over nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Benjamin Netanyahu:
"It's clear that this agreement is good only for Iran, and that it's really bad for the rest of the world. Iran's dream deal is the world's nightmare," he said.
Israel is concerned Iran is too close to building a bomb - and wants its nuclear capabilities rolled back. Iran says its program is peaceful, and the U.S. is pressing international diplomacy to resolve the dispute.
Dennis Ross, a former senior advisor on Iran to President Obama, sees merits in Israel's position.
“Even if you are slowing the clock or freezing it, you are freezing it at a level that basically is unacceptable. Because that level would allow the Iranians to have a break out capability and you are not reversing the program," said Ross.
The U.S. stance has also angered another key ally in the region: Saudi Arabia. In what analysts see as an unprecedented development, Israel and many Sunni Arab nations are aligned in their concerns about Iran.
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