Speaking to a powerful pro-Israel lobby group, President Obama
emphasized he is prepared to pursue a “military effort” to prevent Iran
from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But on the eve of a widely anticipated
meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Obama also
warned against “too much loose talk of war,” saying that actually helps
Tehran by increasing energy prices, reports the Associated Press.
Obama called on Israel to tone down the anti-Iran rhetoric, saying it
needs to give sanctions more time to work and further isolate Tehran.
“For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security and the peace and
security of the world, now is not the time for bluster,” Obama said.
The president used his speech at the annual American-Israel Public
Affairs Committee’s policy conference to defend his record on Israel,
pushing back against what he described as distortions of his record amid
a fierce political campaign.
