'Let's Talk': Obama Speaks with Several World Leaders on a Range of Issues

 

The President spoke by phone today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to discuss the agreement among the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran’s nuclear program. He noted that the JCPOA will verifiably prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program going forward. The President also underscored his Administration’s stalwart commitment to Israel’s security and noted that the JCPOA will remove the specter of a nuclear-armed Iran, an outcome in the national security interest of the United States and Israel. The President told the Prime Minister that today's agreement on the nuclear issue will not diminish our concerns regarding Iran's support for terrorism and threats toward Israel. The President noted that Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s visit next week to Israel is a reflection of the unprecedented level of security cooperation between the United States and Israel, and that the visit offers a further opportunity to continue our close consultation on security issues with Israeli counterparts as we remain vigilant in countering the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities in the region.  

The President spoke separately today with President Hollande of France, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, and High Representative Mogherini of the European Union to discuss the agreement among the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran’s nuclear program.  The President thanked the leaders for their important role in achieving this milestone, the culmination of nearly 20 months of intense negotiations. The leaders affirmed that the JCPOA represents an historic solution that will verifiably prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by cutting off all of the potential pathways to a bomb while ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program going forward. The leaders committed to remain in close coordination as the JCPOA is operationalized. The President also welcomed Monday's agreement between Greece and its creditors. The President noted that the agreement is a positive step that could help to underpin a return to growth and debt stability in Greece, but that further work will be required. 

The following was added at 4:45 p.m.

The President also spoke today with Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The President shared details of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran’s nuclear program agreed to among the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran. In discussing the details of the JCPOA, the President affirmed that it will verifiably prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by cutting off all of the potential pathways to a bomb while ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program going forward. Recalling the productive discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members at Camp David in May, the President underscored that the United States is as committed as ever to working with our Gulf partners to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region, support our partners in building their defense capabilities, and pursue together efforts to resolve the region's crises. The President and the Crown Prince also discussed the urgent humanitarian situation in Yemen, the importance of getting assistance to the Yemeni people in all parts of the country, and the need for a political solution that ends the ongoing conflict.   

Source: White House Press Office