WASHINGTON (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "every right" to voice his opposition to a potential nuclear deal with Iran but his fear that a deal would leave Israel vulnerable is unfounded, Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday.
Amid an unusual and highly vocal spat between the
Obama administration and Israel over Iran, Kerry said he had great respect for Netanyahu and his concerns. But Kerry maintained that instead of making Israel less safe, an accord with Iran would actually reduce the country's risk.
"I have great respect for his concerns about his country," Kerry told reporters at a State Department news conference with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. "The prime minister should express his concerns and he has every right in the world to publicly state his position and defend what he believes is his interest."
He stressed that the United States is deeply committed to Israel's security and sought to assure Netanyahu, ordinary Israelis and pro-Israel members of Congress who are opposed to the proposed agreement.
"Nothing that we are doing here, in my judgment, will put Israel at any additional risk," Kerry said. "In fact, let me make this clear, we believe it reduces risk."
