Obama hails Iran nuclear deal but Israel warns of ‘historic surrender’

U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed a historic deal with Iran on its nuclear program but faces a tough fight to convince America it was the right call. Mr Obama insisted the deal, years in the making, would make the Middle East and the world a safer place. He took to breakfast time TV in the U.S. to press the case, telling the American public it would see Iran destroy 98% of its stock pile of weapons-grade uranium, adding that it currently has enough for 10 warheads. However, even as he spoke, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu described the deal as a “bad mistake of historic proportions”. He said: “Iran is going to receive a sure path to nuclear weapons. Many of the restrictions that were supposed to prevent it from getting there will be lifted." Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the deal, saying: "Today could have been the end of hope, but now we are starting a new chapter of hope.”

No deal means a greater chance of more war in the Middle East.

President Barack Obama

The EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini made the announcement at a news conference in Vienna where foreign ministers had been meeting to ratify a deal that was thrashed out early on Tuesday. Ms Mogherini said the deal provided an opportunity to open a new chapter in international relations. As part of the deal, billions of dollars worth of sanctions are due to be lifted which will allow Iran to trade with the world in a way it has not been able to for several years. In exchange, Iran will give inspectors access to its nuclear programme, which it insists is peaceful, although Tehran did not allow unfettered access.

Iran will get a jackpot, a cash bonanza of hundreds of billions of dollars, which will enable it to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region and in the world.

Israel leader Benjamin Netanyahu

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