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Obama defends Iran nuclear deal as battle moves to Congress – live updates Obama defends Iran nuclear deal as battle moves to Congress – live updates
(7 months later)
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That’s it from Barack Obama’s press conference on Iran. Here’s a summary of what the US president said:That’s it from Barack Obama’s press conference on Iran. Here’s a summary of what the US president said:
That’s it for today, thanks for tuning in.That’s it for today, thanks for tuning in.
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Khamenei calls nuclear deal an 'important step'Khamenei calls nuclear deal an 'important step'
Before Obama spoke, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a clear sign that he supported the nuclear agreement.Before Obama spoke, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a clear sign that he supported the nuclear agreement.
In a letter to the country’s president, Hassan Rouhani, Khamenei thanked Iranian nuclear negotiators ”for their continous and tireless efforts,” according to his official website. “The talks concluded and this is an important step. The text that has been produced should be carefully reviewed and its legal procedures followed [referring to the Iranian parliament review],” read the letter, published on Khamenei’s official website.In a letter to the country’s president, Hassan Rouhani, Khamenei thanked Iranian nuclear negotiators ”for their continous and tireless efforts,” according to his official website. “The talks concluded and this is an important step. The text that has been produced should be carefully reviewed and its legal procedures followed [referring to the Iranian parliament review],” read the letter, published on Khamenei’s official website.
My colleague Saeed Kamali Dehghan has more:My colleague Saeed Kamali Dehghan has more:
“If passed [by parliament], we should watch for any possible violations of the obligations by the other side and make sure that doesn’t happen. As you know well, some of the six governments on the other side are not to be trusted.”“If passed [by parliament], we should watch for any possible violations of the obligations by the other side and make sure that doesn’t happen. As you know well, some of the six governments on the other side are not to be trusted.”
On Tuesday night, Khamenei also played host to senior government officials, where he thanked them for their work on the nuclear agreement.On Tuesday night, Khamenei also played host to senior government officials, where he thanked them for their work on the nuclear agreement.
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Obama has now finished speaking. Before leaving, he promises that he will speak more about the Iran deal soon.Obama has now finished speaking. Before leaving, he promises that he will speak more about the Iran deal soon.
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It is incumbent on the critics of the deal to describe how the world is going to be in a worse position 10-15 years from now, he says.It is incumbent on the critics of the deal to describe how the world is going to be in a worse position 10-15 years from now, he says.
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Obama is delighting in taking on the critics of the deal. Perhaps an indication that he really believes in the deal.Obama is delighting in taking on the critics of the deal. Perhaps an indication that he really believes in the deal.
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Obama addresses what happens if the deal holds, at the end of the set 10 years.Obama addresses what happens if the deal holds, at the end of the set 10 years.
Some of the restrictions will still be in place, he says. The inspections will not go away. There’s no scenario in which the US president is not in a stronger position 15 years from now, if Iran wanted to develop a nuclear weapon down the line, he says.Some of the restrictions will still be in place, he says. The inspections will not go away. There’s no scenario in which the US president is not in a stronger position 15 years from now, if Iran wanted to develop a nuclear weapon down the line, he says.
Even if what the critics say are true, Obama says, that at the end of 10-15 years, Iran is now in a position to develop a nuclear weapon, that they are at a breakout point, they won’t be at a more dangerous breakout point than they are now. It won’t be shorter than the one that exists today, he says.Even if what the critics say are true, Obama says, that at the end of 10-15 years, Iran is now in a position to develop a nuclear weapon, that they are at a breakout point, they won’t be at a more dangerous breakout point than they are now. It won’t be shorter than the one that exists today, he says.
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Question: on Iran receiving its cash flow after sanctions are lifted.Question: on Iran receiving its cash flow after sanctions are lifted.
There is a pace at which Iran can support Hezbollah. They can send more resources to Hezbollah. But the international community can put in more resources to blocking this.There is a pace at which Iran can support Hezbollah. They can send more resources to Hezbollah. But the international community can put in more resources to blocking this.
Is it more important to block Iran from funding its regional proxies than blocking Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, Obama asks? The answer is no.Is it more important to block Iran from funding its regional proxies than blocking Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, Obama asks? The answer is no.
Obama deconstructs idea that if Congress votes down this deal, then sanctions would be kept in place.Obama deconstructs idea that if Congress votes down this deal, then sanctions would be kept in place.
“We are not writing Iran a check,” he says. This is Iran’s money that we have been blocking, which required the cooperation of other countries who have lost billions of dollars because they have not been able to buy oil from Iran.“We are not writing Iran a check,” he says. This is Iran’s money that we have been blocking, which required the cooperation of other countries who have lost billions of dollars because they have not been able to buy oil from Iran.
“If they saw us – and more specifically the US Congress – effectively vetoing the judgment of 99% of the world community” that this is the best way to deal with Iran’s nuclear deal, the sanctions system unravels, he says.“If they saw us – and more specifically the US Congress – effectively vetoing the judgment of 99% of the world community” that this is the best way to deal with Iran’s nuclear deal, the sanctions system unravels, he says.
So we could still maintain some unilateral sanctions. But these would be less effective, he says.So we could still maintain some unilateral sanctions. But these would be less effective, he says.
So maybe they get $60-70bn instead of $100bn.So maybe they get $60-70bn instead of $100bn.
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Back to Iran now...Back to Iran now...
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Obama comments on Bill CosbyObama comments on Bill Cosby
Answer on Bill Cosby: There’s no precedent for revoking a presidential medal, he says. The president says it is his policy not to comment on ongoing cases.Answer on Bill Cosby: There’s no precedent for revoking a presidential medal, he says. The president says it is his policy not to comment on ongoing cases.
But Obama adds, boldly:But Obama adds, boldly:
If you give a woman – or a man, for that matter, without his or her knowledge – a drug, and then have sex with that person without consent, that’s rape.If you give a woman – or a man, for that matter, without his or her knowledge – a drug, and then have sex with that person without consent, that’s rape.
Any civilized country should have no tolerance for rape.Any civilized country should have no tolerance for rape.
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Answer on traveling to Kenya: Obviously it’s something I’m looking forward to, Potus says.Answer on traveling to Kenya: Obviously it’s something I’m looking forward to, Potus says.
“Visiting Kenya as a private citizen is probably more meaningful to me than visiting as president,” he says. Because he can’t leave his hotel room or conference room...“Visiting Kenya as a private citizen is probably more meaningful to me than visiting as president,” he says. Because he can’t leave his hotel room or conference room...
But it’s symbolically important for US to show it is a partner for Kenya.But it’s symbolically important for US to show it is a partner for Kenya.
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Answer on criminal justice reform and race: Obama jokes that the reporter stuffed a lot into her question...Answer on criminal justice reform and race: Obama jokes that the reporter stuffed a lot into her question...
Obama refers to his Tuesday speech on criminal justice:Obama refers to his Tuesday speech on criminal justice:
I don’t think the criminal justice system is the sole source of racial tension in this country. But it is a part of the broader set of challenges that we face in creating a more perfect union.I don’t think the criminal justice system is the sole source of racial tension in this country. But it is a part of the broader set of challenges that we face in creating a more perfect union.
Obama says there has been a huge spike in incarcerations that is “also driven from non-violent drug offenses, where the sentencing is completely out of proportion with the crime. And that costs taxpayers enormous amounts of money,” and debilitates communities. It “compounds problems” the communities already have, he says.Obama says there has been a huge spike in incarcerations that is “also driven from non-violent drug offenses, where the sentencing is completely out of proportion with the crime. And that costs taxpayers enormous amounts of money,” and debilitates communities. It “compounds problems” the communities already have, he says.
“I tend not to have a lot of sympathy for violent crime,” he says, adding that reform is needed for drug-related offenses.“I tend not to have a lot of sympathy for violent crime,” he says, adding that reform is needed for drug-related offenses.
The goal, he says, is to prevent people from going into jail in the first place. “I met these four ex-offenders yesterday” – and it was remarkable how they turned their lives around. “And in each instance, somebody intervened at some point in their lives and said you know what, I think you can live a different way and I’m going to help you.”The goal, he says, is to prevent people from going into jail in the first place. “I met these four ex-offenders yesterday” – and it was remarkable how they turned their lives around. “And in each instance, somebody intervened at some point in their lives and said you know what, I think you can live a different way and I’m going to help you.”
That one person, an art or GED teacher, he says. He gives a shoutout to Five Guys, the burger chain, for giving a job to an ex-felon who became a manager there: “Point is, somebody gave him a chance.”That one person, an art or GED teacher, he says. He gives a shoutout to Five Guys, the burger chain, for giving a job to an ex-felon who became a manager there: “Point is, somebody gave him a chance.”
“This is an area where I feel modestly optimistic.” But the US has to focus on keeping crime rates down.“This is an area where I feel modestly optimistic.” But the US has to focus on keeping crime rates down.
Read more from my colleague Jamiles Lartey, who was in Philadelphia for the president’s address to the NAACP on Tuesday:Read more from my colleague Jamiles Lartey, who was in Philadelphia for the president’s address to the NAACP on Tuesday:
Related: Advocates rejoice over Obama's call to fix 'broken’ criminal justice system
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Question: Changes the topic to race and criminal justice reform... And also, asks Obama about what it is like for Obama to travel to his father’s homeland of Kenya? And lastly, Would you revoke the medal of freedom from Bill Cosby?Question: Changes the topic to race and criminal justice reform... And also, asks Obama about what it is like for Obama to travel to his father’s homeland of Kenya? And lastly, Would you revoke the medal of freedom from Bill Cosby?
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Obama calls out a reporter for a spinning question on the four Americans held in Syria, to portray Obama as “content” on leaving the four Americans held there. He says it is “nonsense” to say he is content.Obama calls out a reporter for a spinning question on the four Americans held in Syria, to portray Obama as “content” on leaving the four Americans held there. He says it is “nonsense” to say he is content.
The president says the US is working diligently to get them out. Obama asks the reporter to think about the logic of not tying the four Americans’ fates to the deal.The president says the US is working diligently to get them out. Obama asks the reporter to think about the logic of not tying the four Americans’ fates to the deal.
“We are working every single day to try and get them out.”“We are working every single day to try and get them out.”
“We are not taking pressure off Iran” on weapons and missiles, Obama says.“We are not taking pressure off Iran” on weapons and missiles, Obama says.
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Question on four Americans held in Iran: Why are you content to leave those four Americans unaccounted for?Question on four Americans held in Iran: Why are you content to leave those four Americans unaccounted for?
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Answer: Important for Iran to be in on the conversation to resolve the Syrian crisis, he says. Obama does not foresee that Iran will be involved at the table in discussions on counter-Isis strategy.Answer: Important for Iran to be in on the conversation to resolve the Syrian crisis, he says. Obama does not foresee that Iran will be involved at the table in discussions on counter-Isis strategy.
“But clearly, Iran has influence in Iraq” – some of it from natural allegiance, some not. The US is working with military teams and diplomats to see where it can appropriately deconflict and where can the US can work with Iraqi prime minister Abadi on an overall strategy for Iraq to regain its sovereignty. And tell Abadi where Iran is behaving badly.“But clearly, Iran has influence in Iraq” – some of it from natural allegiance, some not. The US is working with military teams and diplomats to see where it can appropriately deconflict and where can the US can work with Iraqi prime minister Abadi on an overall strategy for Iraq to regain its sovereignty. And tell Abadi where Iran is behaving badly.
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Question on Iran’s role in Syria: Do you agree that US needs to work with Iran in explicit cooperation?Question on Iran’s role in Syria: Do you agree that US needs to work with Iran in explicit cooperation?
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Obama says the key goals for the next president:Obama says the key goals for the next president:
It’s not the job of the president of the United States to solve every problem in the Middle East.It’s not the job of the president of the United States to solve every problem in the Middle East.
They need to resolve their own problems, too, hes says.They need to resolve their own problems, too, hes says.
“We have to address, the youth in the region, with jobs and opportunity and a better vision for the future. ... Again, we can’t do that entirely by ourselves.” But the US can partner with NGOs and partners in the region, he says.“We have to address, the youth in the region, with jobs and opportunity and a better vision for the future. ... Again, we can’t do that entirely by ourselves.” But the US can partner with NGOs and partners in the region, he says.
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Answer: It’s in the US interest to prevent Iran from sending weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and to the Houthis in Yemen to accelerate the civil war there, Obama says.Answer: It’s in the US interest to prevent Iran from sending weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and to the Houthis in Yemen to accelerate the civil war there, Obama says.
There are a number of mechanisms to prevent this, he notes: Iran was sanctioned for what happened at Fordow and unwillingness to comply with previous UNSC resolutions. As part of sanctions, the issue of arms and ballistic missiles were included.There are a number of mechanisms to prevent this, he notes: Iran was sanctioned for what happened at Fordow and unwillingness to comply with previous UNSC resolutions. As part of sanctions, the issue of arms and ballistic missiles were included.
“Under the terms of the original UNSC resolution was that once an agreement was arrived at, you could argue that those prohibitions should immediately go away. But what I said was, that given that Iran has breached trust, let’s press for a longer extension of the arms embargo and ballistic missile prohibition.”“Under the terms of the original UNSC resolution was that once an agreement was arrived at, you could argue that those prohibitions should immediately go away. But what I said was, that given that Iran has breached trust, let’s press for a longer extension of the arms embargo and ballistic missile prohibition.”
The P5+1 got those, he says.The P5+1 got those, he says.
The US extended for fives years years is because there are other UNSC resolutions that prevent Iran from providing weapons to Hezbollah and give us authority to intervene.The US extended for fives years years is because there are other UNSC resolutions that prevent Iran from providing weapons to Hezbollah and give us authority to intervene.
There are of different legal authorities to prevent arm shipments from Iran from happening under the nuclear deal, which may lapse in five or eight years, but there are other mechanisms in place internationally to prevent these, Obama says.There are of different legal authorities to prevent arm shipments from Iran from happening under the nuclear deal, which may lapse in five or eight years, but there are other mechanisms in place internationally to prevent these, Obama says.
Obama says previous arms shipments happened, which was not because they were legal. But there were insufficient mechanisms in place to prevent them.Obama says previous arms shipments happened, which was not because they were legal. But there were insufficient mechanisms in place to prevent them.
The US will still possess legal authorities after five- to eight-year timeline lapses, the president reminds the press.The US will still possess legal authorities after five- to eight-year timeline lapses, the president reminds the press.
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Question regarding arms on the ballistic missiles embargo: Why lift those, even with the five and eight year timeline? It’s a sticking point on the Hill. What kind of Middle East do you want to leave when you leave the White House?Question regarding arms on the ballistic missiles embargo: Why lift those, even with the five and eight year timeline? It’s a sticking point on the Hill. What kind of Middle East do you want to leave when you leave the White House?
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