Obama Defends Iran Nuclear Deal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – President Barack Obama defended the newly brokered nuclear deal with Iran by saying its critics' tough talk was good for politics but not for US security.
Top Republicans - as well as US ally Israel - have criticized Obama for agreeing to the deal, which to curbs some of its nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
Under the interim deal, Iran will accept restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for limited relief from economic sanctions that were toughened in 2012.
"Huge challenges remain, but we cannot close the door on diplomacy, and we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world's problems. We cannot commit ourselves to an endless cycle of conflict," Obama said to critics of the deal.
"Tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it's not the right thing for our security."
Sunday's agreement, hammered out in marathon talks between six major powers and Iran in Geneva, aims to buy time to negotiate a comprehensive deal that the Obama administration hopes will lay to rest international concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
Some US senators also criticized the deal as too soft on Iran and have threatened to press for fresh sanctions.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that an Israeli team led by national security adviser Yossi Cohen would travel to Washington for talks on the deal.
"This accord must bring about one outcome: the dismantling of Iran's military nuclear capability," he said.