Israel slams ‘bad’ deal between Iran, world powers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu AP file photo

JERUSALEM – Israel said Sunday that a nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers in Geneva was “bad” as Tehran had obtained “what it wanted”, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

“This is a bad agreement that gives Iran what it wanted: the partial lifting of sanctions while maintaining an essential part of its nuclear program,” said a statement published a few hours after the historic accord was signed in the Swiss city.

“The agreement allows Iran to continue to enrich uranium, leaves the centrifuges in place and allows it to produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon,” it added.

“The accord did not lead to the dismantling of the Arak plant”, the heavy water reactor being built 240 kilometers (150 miles) southwest of Tehran.

“Economic pressure on Iran could have produced a much better agreement that would have led to a dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capacities.”

Israel’s Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, the leader of a far-right party, meanwhile said his country was not bound by the Geneva deal and had a right to self-defense.

“Iran is threatening Israel and Israel has the right to defend itself,” he told a military radio station.

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