WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss post-Iran nuclear deal strategies when they meet Nov. 9 in Washington, D.C.
“The president looks forward to discussing with the prime minister regional security issues, including implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to peacefully and verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and countering Tehran’s destabilizing activities,” the White House said Wednesday in a statement.
The JCPOA is the sanctions relief for nuclear restrictions deal reached in July between Iran and six major powers.
Netanyahu adamantly opposes the deal and cut off security talks with the United States until he was certain Congress would not kill it. The Israeli leader feared that such talks would imply his approval of the agreement.
This week, Democrats for the second time blocked by filibuster a bid by Senate Republicans to stop the deal. Republicans may attempt to get another vote through before Congress’ window to kill the deal expires Thursday, but in any case, Obama has pledged to veto any law should it pass.
Obama has said that the United States will enhance its security cooperation with Israel and other allies in the wake of the deal as a means of containing Iranian ambitions.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit is a demonstration of the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel as well as the unprecedented security cooperation, including our close consultations to further enhance Israel’s security,” the White House statement said.
The statement also said that Obama at the White House meeting hoped to discuss Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and “the need for the genuine advancement of a two-state solution.” Netanyahu has said that he is ready to resume such talks, which collapsed in 2014, without preconditions.
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