In his address to U.S. legislators,.. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called… the emerging nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran a "very bad deal."... and warned it could bring about disasterous consequences.<br />Park Ji-won has more.<br /><br />Speaking before the U.S. Congress on Tuesday,... Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that the current nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will only help Iran develop nuclear weapons capability.<br /><br />"This deal has two major concessions: one, leaving Iran with a vast nuclear program and two, lifting the restrictions on that program in about a decade." <br /><br />The Israeli prime minister also warned the deal will spark a fresh nuclear arms race in the Middle East, threatening stability in the region.<br />The speech received loud applause from Republican lawmakers, but Obama's fellow Democratic lawmakers expressed their discontent with the speech... and dozens boycotted the speech.<br /><br />"The invitation and the speech set a dangerous precedent, whereby Congressional leaders from one party can invite a foreign politician to publicly oppose the policies of the sitting president on the House floor." <br /><br />President Obama defended the position of his administration, saying... the Israeli prime minister didn't offer any viable alternatives. <br /><br />"If we're successful in negotiating, then, in fact, this will be the best deal possible to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Nothing else comes close." <br /><br />Obama refused to meet Netanyahu,... as the Israeli prime minister is facing an upcoming election later this month and the visit could be seen as interference.<br />Despite the Israeli prime minister's rejection of the deal,... the U.S. and Iran are continuing their nuclear talks in Switzerland.<br />The U.S. hopes to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,... in exchange for a gradual lifting of economic sanctions.<br />Park Ji-won, Arirang News.
