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| Obama to speak on Iran nuclear deal as battle moves to Congress – live updates | Obama to speak on Iran nuclear deal as battle moves to Congress – live updates |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| 1.49pm ET18:49 | |
| Congress and critics need to describe why the experts – include nuclear physicis Ernest Moniz – and the rest of the world is wrong. And then present an alternative. | |
| If war is the option, then the critics need to say so. And then we can debate it. | |
| 1.48pm ET18:48 | |
| “We don’t have the diplomatic leverage to eliminate every vestige of a peaceful nuclear program in Iran.” But we do have the leverage to oppose Iran’s developing a weapon. | |
| 1.47pm ET18:47 | |
| “Israel has legitimate concerns about its security. You have a large country, with a significant militarily that has proclaimed that Isarel shouldn’t exist, that has denied the holocaust, that has finance Hezbollah and as a result has missiles pointed towards Tel Aviv.” SO good reasons for Israeli nervousness, he says. | |
| But all those threats are compounded if Iran gets a nuclear weapon. And for all the objections of Netanyahu and GOP leadership, “none of them has presented to me or the American people a better alternative.” | |
| Hearing a lot of talking points about “this being a bad deal, a historically bad deal.” But he says he hasn’t heard of a preferred alternative. 99% of world community and nuclear experts say “this will prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb”. | |
| “There really are only 2 alternatives here: either Iran getting a nuclear weapon is resolved diplomatically through negotiation. Or its resolved through force, through war. Those are the options.” | |
| 1.45pm ET18:45 | |
| Question: does it give you pause to see deal praised as “great victory” by Bashar al-Assad, when Netanyahu calls it a “historic mistake”? | |
| Answer: It does not give him pause, Obama says, that Assad or others in Tehran may be trying to spin the deal in a way that they think is favorable to what their constituencies want to hear. “That’s what politicians do,” he says. | |
| Read the document, Obama insists. Nobody has disputed that as a consequence of the agreement, and Iran has to drastically reduce its stockpiles of uranium, cut off from plutonium. There is now an unprecedented inspections regime, he says, and there will be snapback of sanctions if the Iraniana cheat. | |
| “With respect to Congress, my hope is that everyone in Congress evalutes this agreement based on the facts. Not on politics, not on posturing not on the fact that this is a deal I bring to Congress as opposed to a Republican president.” If Congress does that, then based on the facts, “the majority of Congress should approve of this deal. But, we live in Washington and politics do intrude”. | |
| Obama says he is not betting that Republicans will approve the deal. | |
| Updated at 1.49pm ET | |
| 1.40pm ET18:40 | |
| In fact, having resolved the nuclear issue, Obama says US will be in a better position to work with Israel, Gulf countries and Europeans to bring Iran to resolve other issues in the region, including Yemen, Syria, Hezbollah. | |
| 1.39pm ET18:39 | |
| Obama says the US will still have a problem with Iran, namely its sponsorship of terrorism. | |
| Obama says his hope with this deal, is the US will be able to have conversations with Iran to encourage it to be less hostile in the region. “To operate the way, we expect nations in the international community to behave. But we are not counting on it.” | |
| “This deal is not contingent on Iran changing its behavior.” He says, he won’t expect Iran to suddenly start behaving like a liberal democracy. | |
| Unlike with Cuba, we “are not normalizing diplomatic relationship here.” | |
| 1.37pm ET18:37 | |
| Obama reminds the press of what is at stake, because he’s “heard already some of the objections to the deal”. | |
| The starting premise of the strategy towards Iran, he outlines: “it would be a grave threat to the US and allies if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon”. | |
| Sanctions came about because consensus was Iran having a nuclear weapon would be a global threat, Obama says. | |
| And it’s not simply his priority, Obama says. Throughout all debates over the past six years, this has been a “democratic, republican and it has been Netanyahu’s priority”, to make sure Iran does not get a nuclear weapon. | |
| But Obama says the US has always recognized that even if Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon, Iran still poses threats to our interests and allies around the world. | |
| When a deal is implemented, he says, the US knows “we will have dismantled the immediate concerns around Iran’s nuclear programs”: the deal will have brought stockpiles down by 96%, less centrifuges, with unprecedented inspections regime installed. | |
| Iran will now be subject to additional protocol, he says – a more vigorous inspection and monitoring regime, that lasts in perpetuity. | |
| “I can say – and nuclear experts can say – with confidence, tht Iran will not be in a position to develop a nuclear bomb. We will have met our priority.” | |
| Updated at 1.43pm ET | |
| 1.32pm ET18:32 | |
| Obama is now taking questions | |
| 1.32pm ET18:32 | |
| 'Future generations would judge us harshly if we let this moment slip away' | |
| Obama says the US risks even more war in the Middle East without a deal, and that there would be a nuclear arms race in the “most volatile” region in the world. | |
| Profound differences remain with Iran, the president says. An arms embargo will therefore remain for five years and restrictions on ballistic missiles for eight years. | |
| The US will maintain its own sanctions on Iran, he says: | |
| This nuclear deal meets the national security interests of the US and its allies. | |
| The alternative, Obama says – of no deal, no inspections – presents “the risk of regional nuclear arms race would endanger our security”. | |
| “Future generations would judge us harshly if we let this moment slip away,” he says. | |
| Obama cites a historic chance to produce a safer and more secure world – “an opportunity that may not come again in our lifetime”. | |
| Updated at 1.33pm ET | |
| 1.29pm ET18:29 | |
| Obama says the historic deal represents a “powerful display of leadership and diplomacy”. He says the US has led from a position of strength. | |
| His national security team has already begun giving briefings to Congress, he says. | |
| “The details of this deal matter very much,” he says. At the same time, I hope we don’t loe sight of the larger picture. | |
| Remember the alternative, Obama reiterates: “With this deal, we cut off every single one of Iran’s pathways to a nuclear program ... and Iran could move closer to a nuclear bomb.” | |
| If Iran violates its commitments, there will be real consequences: sanctions will “snap back into place”, Obama says. | |
| Updated at 1.34pm ET | |
| 1.26pm ET18:26 | |
| Obama has begun talking to the press | |
| 1.23pm ET18:23 | |
| Obama will begin speaking in just under two minutes | |
| 1.18pm ET18:18 | |
| As almost ever, the president is running behind schedule ... | |
| 1.14pm ET18:14 | 1.14pm ET18:14 |
| Meanwhile, my colleague Ian Black (@ian_black) has written about Tehran’s hope it will be allowed to take its place on the world stage, despite its distrust of America and of Israel, which remains a huge obstacle: | Meanwhile, my colleague Ian Black (@ian_black) has written about Tehran’s hope it will be allowed to take its place on the world stage, despite its distrust of America and of Israel, which remains a huge obstacle: |
| Now that the nuclear marathon is over, encouraging hopes for a better relationship with its old American enemy, Iran is projecting itself as an island of stability in a sea of trouble and demanding to be treated as an equal. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continues to excoriate “global arrogance”, as he always has, but has hinted clearly at cooperation with the US once sanctions end, and dignity – a recurrent word – has been restored. | Now that the nuclear marathon is over, encouraging hopes for a better relationship with its old American enemy, Iran is projecting itself as an island of stability in a sea of trouble and demanding to be treated as an equal. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continues to excoriate “global arrogance”, as he always has, but has hinted clearly at cooperation with the US once sanctions end, and dignity – a recurrent word – has been restored. |
| “We believe we have a constructive and positive role to play in the region, with or without an agreement,” said Amir-Hossein Abdollahian, the deputy foreign minister for the Middle East, a few days before the Vienna talks ended. “We understand that a good nuclear deal can have a good influence.” Iran’s support for Syria’s fight against “terrorism” was consistent with its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon and opposition to Saudi attacks on Yemen, he said. “A positive nuclear outcome will have a positive outcome for relations with the west.” The only red line was Israel – “an illegitimate regime”. | “We believe we have a constructive and positive role to play in the region, with or without an agreement,” said Amir-Hossein Abdollahian, the deputy foreign minister for the Middle East, a few days before the Vienna talks ended. “We understand that a good nuclear deal can have a good influence.” Iran’s support for Syria’s fight against “terrorism” was consistent with its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon and opposition to Saudi attacks on Yemen, he said. “A positive nuclear outcome will have a positive outcome for relations with the west.” The only red line was Israel – “an illegitimate regime”. |
| Read Ian’s full piece here. | Read Ian’s full piece here. |
| Related: 'Rising' Iran asserts right to play constructive Middle East role | Related: 'Rising' Iran asserts right to play constructive Middle East role |
| 1.08pm ET18:08 | 1.08pm ET18:08 |
| Peter Beaumont | Peter Beaumont |
| Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, appears determined to push allies in the US Congress to block the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, despite warnings that his strategy would fail and further damage relations with the Obama administration. | Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, appears determined to push allies in the US Congress to block the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, despite warnings that his strategy would fail and further damage relations with the Obama administration. |
| With few Israeli analysts demonstrating any confidence that Israel could muster the two-thirds support in Congress needed to overcome a presidential veto, a chorus of voices warned against persisting with a strategy they fear has left Israelincreasingly marginalised. | With few Israeli analysts demonstrating any confidence that Israel could muster the two-thirds support in Congress needed to overcome a presidential veto, a chorus of voices warned against persisting with a strategy they fear has left Israelincreasingly marginalised. |
| Netanyahu’s approach has already been described as “coarse” by the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and “way over the top” by John Kerry, the US secretary of state. Barack Obama is bullishly confident that opponents in Congress will not be able to overturn the deal. | Netanyahu’s approach has already been described as “coarse” by the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and “way over the top” by John Kerry, the US secretary of state. Barack Obama is bullishly confident that opponents in Congress will not be able to overturn the deal. |
| Read Peter’s full analysis here. | Read Peter’s full analysis here. |
| Related: Netanyahu slated in Israel for foreign policy failure over Iran nuclear accord | Related: Netanyahu slated in Israel for foreign policy failure over Iran nuclear accord |
| 1.04pm ET18:04 | 1.04pm ET18:04 |
| The signed deal: | The signed deal: |
| 12.56pm ET17:56 | 12.56pm ET17:56 |
| In an interview with the New York Times’ Thomas Friedman on Tuesday, Obama made his case on the deal, defending his administration against critics who claim the deal is too narrow in scope: | In an interview with the New York Times’ Thomas Friedman on Tuesday, Obama made his case on the deal, defending his administration against critics who claim the deal is too narrow in scope: |
| “We’re not measuring this deal by whether we are solving every problem that can be traced back to Iran,” Obama told the columnist. “We are measuring this deal — and that was the original premise of this conversation, including by Prime Minister Netanyahu — Iran could not get a nuclear weapon. | “We’re not measuring this deal by whether we are solving every problem that can be traced back to Iran,” Obama told the columnist. “We are measuring this deal — and that was the original premise of this conversation, including by Prime Minister Netanyahu — Iran could not get a nuclear weapon. |
| “We are not measuring this deal by whether it is changing the regime inside of Iran,” the president told Friedman. “We’re not measuring this deal by whether we are solving every problem that can be traced back to Iran, whether we are eliminating all their nefarious activities around the globe. We are measuring this deal — and that was the original premise of this conversation, including by Prime Minister Netanyahu — Iran could not get a nuclear weapon. That was always the discussion. | “We are not measuring this deal by whether it is changing the regime inside of Iran,” the president told Friedman. “We’re not measuring this deal by whether we are solving every problem that can be traced back to Iran, whether we are eliminating all their nefarious activities around the globe. We are measuring this deal — and that was the original premise of this conversation, including by Prime Minister Netanyahu — Iran could not get a nuclear weapon. That was always the discussion. |
| “And what I’m going to be able to say, and I think we will be able to prove, is that this by a wide margin is the most definitive path by which Iran will not get a nuclear weapon, and we will be able to achieve that with the full cooperation of the world community and without having to engage in another war in the Middle East.” | “And what I’m going to be able to say, and I think we will be able to prove, is that this by a wide margin is the most definitive path by which Iran will not get a nuclear weapon, and we will be able to achieve that with the full cooperation of the world community and without having to engage in another war in the Middle East.” |
| 12.47pm ET17:47 | 12.47pm ET17:47 |
| On Tuesday, Iran and six world powers reached a historic agreement that will lift sanctions on Iran but place strict limits on its nuclear program for more than a decade. | On Tuesday, Iran and six world powers reached a historic agreement that will lift sanctions on Iran but place strict limits on its nuclear program for more than a decade. |
| Key points of the 100-plus page deal can be found here. | Key points of the 100-plus page deal can be found here. |
| Now that the deal has been announced, the battle moves to Washington as the Obama administration kicks off a three-month campaign to stop the hard-won deal being derailed by congressional Republicans. | Now that the deal has been announced, the battle moves to Washington as the Obama administration kicks off a three-month campaign to stop the hard-won deal being derailed by congressional Republicans. |
| The White House has a few days to present the agreement to Congress, which then has 60 days to review it. Another 22 days is set aside for an initial vote, in which the Republican majority is likely to reject the deal, and then a second vote, over which there is a presidential veto. | The White House has a few days to present the agreement to Congress, which then has 60 days to review it. Another 22 days is set aside for an initial vote, in which the Republican majority is likely to reject the deal, and then a second vote, over which there is a presidential veto. |
| The president has promised to use his veto against “any legislation that prevents the successful implementation” of the deal. Congressional critics of the deal would therefore need to pass legislation with more than a two-thirds majority in both chambers – the threshold required to overcome a presidential veto. | The president has promised to use his veto against “any legislation that prevents the successful implementation” of the deal. Congressional critics of the deal would therefore need to pass legislation with more than a two-thirds majority in both chambers – the threshold required to overcome a presidential veto. |
| In the early hours of Tuesday morning, President Obama addressed the United States on the nuclear deal, saying “every path to a nuclear weapon will be cut off” for Iran under the historic agreement. Speaking from the White House, he said the deal ensures Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon, adding that the deal is not built on trust, but instead on verification, as inspectors will ensure the country’s compliance. | In the early hours of Tuesday morning, President Obama addressed the United States on the nuclear deal, saying “every path to a nuclear weapon will be cut off” for Iran under the historic agreement. Speaking from the White House, he said the deal ensures Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon, adding that the deal is not built on trust, but instead on verification, as inspectors will ensure the country’s compliance. |
| The president is expected to speak at 1pm ET to the White House press corps, and will be taking questions. | The president is expected to speak at 1pm ET to the White House press corps, and will be taking questions. |