Obama seeks to assure American Jewish leaders on Iran deal

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday told American Jewish leaders that although he shares their concerns about Iran's threats to Israel, the P5+1 nuclear agreement with Iran is the best option to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

"This deal blocks every way, every pathway that Iran might take in order to develop a nuclear weapon," Obama said in a live webcast.

The president said, learning from history, "sometimes the best security is to enter into negotiations with your enemies."

He reiterated that the agreement does not rest on trust but on clear verification and inspection procedures. Obama urged listeners to learn about the various pieces of the agreement.

Obama said that he understand it was difficult for members of the Jewish community to accept the deal, but it's "better to air these things out, even if it' s uncomfortable, as long as we keep it civil and we remain focused on the big picture," urging them to "overcome the emotions" of the issues and to look at the facts.

Obama told members of the Jewish community that "the commitment to Israel is sacrosanct and non-partisan, and it always has been and always will be."

The Israeli government strenuously opposes the agreement, arguing the deal will keep Iran from building a nuclear bomb in exchange for international sanctions relief.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that the agreement is "a historic mistake for the world", promising to continue trying to block final passage of the agreement.

The U.S. Congress is in the midst of 60-day review period of the deal, which requires two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate to override the veto. Obama had vowed to veto any congressional attempt to block the implementation of the agreement.

The nuclear agreement with Iran was reached in July after extensive negotiations with the United States, Britain, France, China, Germany and Russia.

Source: XINHUA