Netanyahu: Israel not held by Iran deal; will defend itself from any threat

Netanyahu: Israel not held by Iran deal; will defend itself from any threat.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has called the deal reached between Iran and world powers a historic mistake, because it allows the most dangerous regime in the world to make a significant step forward to arming itself with the most dangerous weapon in the world.

 In remarks at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that the world powers agreed to uranium enrichment activity in Iran, while ignoring the sanctions that they themselves led and which took years to put into place. He added that in exchange for this, Iran agreed to what he termed "cosmetic concessions" that can be reversed in a number of weeks. 



Netanyahu stressed that Israel is not held by the agreement, and reserves the right to defend itself from any threat. Netanyahu said that Israel will not let Iran develop military nuclear capabilities. 

In other political reaction, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said requires of Israel to reassess the situation and make decisions that are not simple. Speaking on Reshet Bet, he added that the responsibility for the fate of the Jewish people lies solely with the government of Israel. 

Finance Minister Yair Lapid said the deal is a bad one and Israel must ensure that the final agreement is better. Economics Minister Naftali Bennett said it is important that the world knows that Israel will not held to an agreement that endangers its existence. 

American sources said that US President Barack Obama will speak over the course of the day with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about the deal reached with Iran