White House reportedly offers to boost military aid to Israel after Iran deal

President Obama has offered to increase U.S. military aid to Israel in the wake of the Iran nuclear agreement, according to a published report.

 

According to the New York Times, Obama broached the subject in a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. White House officials said that Obama told Netanyahu that he was prepared to hold “intensive discussions” on bolstering Israel’s defense capabilities.

 

The paper reported that Netanyahu denied to discuss the subject with the president, leading U.S. officials to believe he wants to wait and see what Congress has to say about the deal, which was agreed to after long talks involving the U.S., Iran, and five other world powers. Lawmakers have up to 60 days to review the agreement.

 

Netanyahu has been the staunchest critic of the agreement, calling it a “bad mistake of historic proportions” mere minutes after it was agreed to. He continued his criticism on Wednesday, saying there were “absurd things” in the agreement, and accusing world leaders of falling into “a trap of smiles set by the tyrannical Iranian regime.”

 

In remarks to Israel’s parliament, Netanyahu said he was not bound by the terms of the deal and could still take military action against Iran.

 

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