Clinton supports Iran deal, says will seek to strengthen alliance with Israel if elected

Democratic presidential candidate says U.S. will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapon.

Ha’aretz

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton voiced her support of the nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers, unveiled in Vienna on Tuesday, and also vowed to strengthen ties with Israel in view of Jerusalem’s concerns over the deal.

The deal “can help us prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon,” Clinton said in a statement, adding that “with vigorous enforcement, unyielding verification, and swift consequences for any violations, this agreement can make the United States, Israel, and our Arab partners safer.”

Against the background of severe Israeli criticism of the agreement, Clinton also stressed that “Israel has to be confident that the United States will always ensure its Qualitative Military Edge in the region and its capacity to defend itself by itself.”

“As President, I would invite the senior Israeli leadership to Washington for early talks on further strengthening our alliance,” the statement said.

Clinton also said that sanctions for terrorism must remain a key part of U.S. strategy facing Iran, which “fuels terrorism throughout the region and beyond, including through direct support to Hamas and Hizballah.”

Clinton also emphasized that the U.S. must make sure Iran follows the deal, and won’t allow any suspicious sites to go uninspected.

“And the response to any cheating must be immediate and decisive – starting with the return of sanctions but taking no options off the table, including, if necessary, our military options,” Clinton said.

“The message to Iran should be loud and clear:  We will never allow you to acquire a nuclear weapon; not just during the term of this agreement – never,” she said.

Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that the nuclear agreement with Iran will not  “diminish American concerns regarding Iran’s support for terrorism and threats over Israel,”  a statement published by the White House said.

During the conversation with Netanyahu, Obama stressed his administration’s commitment to Israel’s security and noted that the nuclear deal will remove the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran, “an outcome in the national security interest of the United States and Israel.”

Obama also told Netanyahu that U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter will visit Israel next week to discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations.

In their conversation, Netanyahu said the deal threatens the security of Israel and of the entire world.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that an examination of the agreement raises two major dangers,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.”The agreement will allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons either after adhering to the agreement for 10-15 years, or by violating it beforehand. In addition, [the deal] will pump billions of dollars to the Iranian terror and war machine, which threatens Israel and the entire world.”