Obama tries to reassure Netanyahu about Iran

US President Obama sought to reassure an uneasy Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that words alone from Iran's leadership won't be enough to resolve his administration's concerns about Tehran's nuclear program, US Today reported. The effort to assuage Netanyahu's concerns comes in the midst of signs that there could be a thawing in the US-Iranian relationship with the elevation a new Iranian president, who has taken a softer tone with the United States in his first weeks in power. "We take no options off the table, including military options," Obama told reporters after meeting with Netanyahu. "We have to test diplomacy. We have to see if in fact they are serious about their willingness to abide by international norms and international law and international requirements and resolutions." The White House visit by Netanyahu, who will deliver an address before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in which he said he will reiterate his concerns about Iran's nuclear program, comes three days after Obama and Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, spoke by phone. The Obama-Rouhani call marked the closest interaction between high-level US and Iranian leaders since the Carter administration. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations after militants in Tehran stormed the US Embassy in 1979 and held 52 hostages for 444 days. But Netanyahu spoke plainly about his skepticism over Rouhani's diplomatic efforts. "We have a saying in Hebrew, we call it mivchan hatotza'a -- you would say it in English, What's the bottom line?" Netanyahu said. "And the bottom line, again, is that Iran fully dismantles its military nuclear program." Netanyahu says the Iranians are far from genuine about their willingness to engage in non-proliferation talks and will use the space created by the thawing to create a nuclear bomb. He urged Obama not to ease up on sanctions against Iran. "Iran's conciliatory words have to be matched by real actions – transparent, verifiable, meaningful actions," Netanyahu said. "Iran is committed to Israel's destruction." Obama underscored that the United States will closely consult with Israel about future contacts with Iran. "We enter into these negotiations very clear-eyed," Obama said. Before leaving for the USA, Netanyahu said in Israel that he would be blunt about his concerns about Iran. "I will tell the truth in the face of the sweet talk and the onslaught of smiles." Obama and Netanyahu have had a tense relationship. Source: MENA