Obama sells Iran deal in 'New York Times'
President Obama took his campaign for an Iran nuclear deal to the op-ed page of The New York Times this past weekend, telling columnist Thomas Friedman that diplomacy is better than war when it comes to blocking Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
If "we can resolve these issues diplomatically, we are more likely to be safe, more likely to be secure, in a better position to protect our allies, and — who knows? — Iran may change," Obama said. "If it doesn't, our deterrence capabilities, our military superiority stays in place. ... We're not relinquishing our capacity to defend ourselves or our allies.
"In that situation, why wouldn't we test it?"
Congressional Republicans and Israeli officials are skeptical, saying the proposed deal may wind up making it easier for Iran to get nukes.
"This is a deal that leaves Iran with the capacity to produce the material for many, many nuclear bombs, and it does so by lifting the sanctions pretty much up front," said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday.
The Obama administration is in the midst of a media blitz on behalf of the recently announced framework between U.S., its allies and Iran. The parties are working on the details of a final agreement in which the allies would reduce sanctions on Iran if it gives up the means to make nuclear weapons.
In the interview with Friedman, Obama pledged to defend Israel when and if it is attacked.
"What I would say to the Israeli people is ... that there is no formula, there is no option, to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon that will be more effective than the diplomatic initiative and framework that we put forward," Obama said. "And that's demonstrable."