Israel: The Israeli prime minister has warned that a deal under discussion on Iran’s nuclear programme could “pave its way to the bomb”, rather than block it.
In a speech to US Congress punctuated by standing ovations, Benjamin Netanyahu depicted Iran as a “threat to the entire world”.
Mr Netanyahu was searing in his denunciation of the deal being negotiated with Iran
Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are nearing a critical late-March deadline for an outline agreement to be reached.
The speech comes just two weeks before a closely fought election in Israel.
Mr Netanyahu insisted that he was not trying to meddle in internal US politics.
The White House had criticised his plan to address Congress – at Republican invitation, without consulting the White House – saying the Israeli leader was trying to swell US opposition to any Iran deal.
Following the speech, US President Barack Obama told reporters he had seen “nothing new” in the speech transcript.
“On the core issue, which is how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon which would make it far more dangerous, the prime minister did not offer any viable alternatives,” he said.
The US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China are seeking to reach agreement to curtail Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
They fear Iran has ambitions to build a nuclear bomb – something Iran denies, insisting it is merely exercising its right to peaceful nuclear power.
Negotiators are currently working towards a late-March deadline for an outline agreement with Iran, which would be followed by a detailed deal by the end of June.
But Mr Netanyahu said: “We’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well this is a bad deal, a very bad deal.”
His speech was interrupted by regular standing ovations from US lawmakers
But some, such as House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (right), held back applause and sometimes showed visible signs of disagreement
Mr Netanyahu’s speech, with handwritten edits, urged US lawmakers to block any forthcoming deal with Iran
