US Secretary Kerry derides Israeli ‘hysteria’ on Iran nuclear deal

In first interview to Israeli media on framework deal with Iran, Kerry insists – despite statements by atomic experts to the contrary – that in a final agreement, the world will monitor Tehran’s nuclear program.

By: Atara Beck, World Israel News

In his first interview with Israeli media since the signing of the framework nuclear agreement with Iran last month in Lausanne, US Secretary of State John Kerry claimed that Israel’s “hysteria” over the deal with Iran is exaggerated and that the US remains committed to Israel’s security.

Responding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criticism of the deal, Kerry told Channel 10:

“I say this again – we will not sign a deal that does not close off Iran’s pathways to a bomb and that doesn’t give us the confidence, to all of our experts, in fact the global experts, that we will be able to know what Iran is doing and prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon.”

Kerry insists that the international community will monitor the Iranian nuclear program, however, the Iranians have repeatedly said they will not allow inspections. Monitoring bodies have said that close and accurate tracking may not even be possible.

He reiterated the US commitment to regional security. “President Obama has absolutely pledged that they [Iran] will not get a nuclear weapon, and I believe that where we are heading will in fact protect Israel. We will have inspectors in there every single day. That is not a 10-year deal, that is forever.”

“There’s a lot of hysteria about this deal. People really need to look at the facts, and they need to look at the science behind those facts,” Kerry stated.