Obama says Netanyahu’s Iran speech contains ‘nothing new’

In a speech to the US Congress, Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a deal under discussion on Iran’s nuclear programme could “pave Iran’s path to the bomb” rather than block it.

 

But Mr Obama said Mr Netanyahu had offered no viable alternative.

 

Other senior Democrats – and Iran – also criticised Mr Netanyahu.

 

The Israeli leader’s visit was controversial from the start, because the Republican speaker invited him without consulting the White House.

 

The US president announced he would not meet Mr Netanyahu, who is fighting in a closely contested national election in just two weeks’ time.

 

Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are nearing a critical late-March deadline for an outline agreement to be reached.

 

Read More: BBC News – Obama says Netanyahu’s Iran speech contains ‘nothing new’