Netanyahu: Here’s proof Iran cheated on nuke deal
Tens of thousands of secret files and other evidence proves the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is “based on lies and Iranian deception” and should be thrown out, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday.
Netanyahu, in an address televised across Israel, said Iran lied when it said it never sought to develop nuclear weapons, then cheated by failing to reveal all its weapons program information to an international watchdog charged with monitoring the deal.
“Even after the deal was made, Iran continued to preserve and expand its nuclear know-how for use at a later date,” Netanyahu said.
President Trump has said he will announce within the next two weeks the fate of the deal. He has repeatedly blasted the agreement and has demanded that changes be made to tighten rules governing Iran.
Trump, speaking at a White House news conference minutes after Netanyahu spoke, expressed solidarity with the Israeli leader. He also would not dismiss the possibility of negotiating a new deal — an option Iran has rejected.
“In seven years that deal will have expired and Iran is free to go ahead and develop nuclear weapons. Seven years is tomorrow,” Trump said.
The deal, struck between Iran and six world powers — the U.S., Britain, Russia, France, China and Germany — was negotiated by the Obama administration. The deal led to easing of a broad range of economic sanctions placed on the Shiite nation.
Netanyahu, who bitterly opposed the deal, spoke in English, a clear sign he wanted to present his case to an international audience. He said “half a ton” of evidence proves Iran has not been faithful. He said the deal gives Iran a clear path to building a nuclear arsenal in the future. He said Iran has always planned “at the highest levels” to continue to work on the program.
“This is a terrible deal,” Netanyahu said. “In a few days time, President Trump will make his decision. ... I am sure he will do the right thing, the right thing for the United States, the right thing for Israel and the right thing for peace in the world.”