Netanyahu, Obama discuss Iran, regional issues
Phone call is part of leaders' 'regular consultations,' says a White House statement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Barack Obama about Iran’s nuclear program, Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and other regional issues on Monday.
The phone call was part of their “regular consultations,” said a White House statement. “The two leaders agreed to continue their close coordination on a range of security issues.”
The call comes as the US is seeking to allay Israel’s concerns about diplomatic overtures from Iran. Iran is seeking relief from economic sanctions in return for concessions on its nuclear program, but Israel is pressing Obama to keep sanctions in place.
On Sunday, Netanyahu criticized a proposal that would allow Iran to retain a capacity for low-level uranium enrichment as part of a deal to end sanctions. The Islamic Republic is set to resume discussions regarding its nuclear program with the P5+1, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, in November.
The prime minister is also facing a domestic uproar over plans to release Palestinian prisoners as part of an agreement that restarted long-stalled peace talks. Kerry and the US brokered that agreement.
JTA contributed to this report.