Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon, meeting with President Barack Obama three days after Obama's historic phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Sept. 30, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
“The most important challenge is preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said with Obama in the White House Oval Office after the two leaders had a bilateral meeting Monday.
“I appreciate deeply the fact that you have made clear that you remain committed that this goal,” Netanyahu continued. “I also appreciate that your stated that Iran's conciliatory words have to be matched by real action, transparent, verifiable, meaningful. Iran is committed to Israel's destruction. So for Israel, the ultimate test of a future with Iran is whether or not Iran dismantles its military nuclear program.”
Obama, sitting next to Netanyahu, had similar comments about the Islamist country.
“It is imperative that Iran dismantle its nuclear weapons,” Obama said. “It is important for American security. It is important for Israeli security. It is important for world security because we cannot tolerate a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world.”
Obama added, “It is absolutely clear that words are not sufficient. We have to have actions to give the international community confidence that they are meeting their international obligations fully and that they are not in a position to have a nuclear weapon.”
After their statements, Obama took one question from a reporter regarding the pending government shutdown. The two leaders have not had a full joint news conference in the White House.
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