On Iran, Obama keeps ‘all options open,’ while PM asserts right to self-defense

Obama answers, at length, a question about the failure to intervene in Syria, essentially justifying the policy he has been following.

The two are asked now about Iran. We had a joke about red lines on the tarmac, says Netanyahu. But Iran’s nuclear drive is a grave strategic threat. “I’m absolutely convinced that the president is determined to thwart Iran,” says Netanyahu. And he restates, appreciatively, Obama’s reassertion of Israel’s right to defend itself. “Iran is a grave threat to Israel… to the world.”

Obama adds: “Our intelligence cooperation on this matter… is unprecedented.” And “there is not a lot of daylight between our countries’ assessments… of where Iran is now.” Israel is “differently situated” from the United States. It’s for “Bibi” to make decisions for Israel. “We will leave all options on the table.”

In answer to another question, Obama says his “main goal on this trip” is to assure Israel of his friendship and of America’s bonds with Israel. He wants to be sure “there are no misunderstandings” on Iran.

On the peace process, “we haven’t gone forward” in the last year or two, says Obama. The PA “has worked effectively… to do its part on maintaining security in the West Bank.” The sought-for settlement would allow Israelis to feel they’re breaking out “of their isolation” and for the Palestinians to feel that they too are “masters of their fate.” We’ve not yet seen that solution, the president says. Hence he’s been hearing from Netanyahu today and will hear from Abu Mazen tomorrow. “I didn’t want to come here and make some big announcement” — but rather “to listen before I talk,” as his mother always told him to do. He wants to go back home with a better understanding of the constructive role the US can play toward a two-state solution.

There’s some joking about multiple questions. And then, did Obama fail on the peace process in his first term, and why haven’t Israelis embraced Obama?

Obama rejects the notion that he “screwed up” in failing to achieve peace in his first term. It’s a hard problem, that’s been “lingering” for six decades. “It’s a hard slog to work through all of these issues.”

“It’s hard, and people disagree.”

He believes, he says, that “Israel’s security will be enhanced” and the Palestinian people will benefit, and the region will flourish, with a resolution to this issue.

Netanyahu says there’s a “misunderstanding” on Iran and time. If Iran decides to go for a bomb, it will take about a year. But the Iranians can defer that final push, and keep enriching uranium along the way. They’ve not crossed his red line. But they’re getting closer. They’ll reach “an immunity zone” when they get through the enrichment process. There’s not a lot of time left. There’s a common US assessment on this, the prime minister says.

On Israelis ostensibly not taking the president to their hearts: “People should get to know President Obama,” says Netanyahu warmly, noting that Obama has announced he wants to begin talks on another 10 years of US military aid. Israelis will judge Obama on the basis of steps like these, he says.

And that’s the presser wrapped up. The two men go back to a working dinner, and more talks.

Among the key themes, perhaps, Netanyahu’s assertion of Israel’s right to defend itself as a signal of a right to intervene in Iran. And the prime minister’s explicit support for “two states for two peoples.” Peres had said to Obama earlier: I trust you on Iran. Netanyahu essentially says: I appreciate your stance on Iran, and reserve the right to act independently.

Finally, the earlier Hebrew media reports that the presidential tree was being dug up are firmly denied by Peres’s staff. Next week, the Agriculture Minister will inspect Obama’s gift in situ — as required by law, and as told to the Americans ahead of time, says spokeswoman Ayelet Frisch. Until then its roots are being kept covered in plastic netting, not touching the ground. Glad we’ve cleared that up.

Thanks for being with us through the day on this liveblog. We’ll see you again tomorrow.