Israeli PM Netanyahu warns U.S.-Iran deal will spark Mideast arms race

In his address to U.S. legislators,.. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called… the emerging nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran a "very bad deal."... and warned it could bring about disasterous consequences.
Park Ji-won has more.

Speaking before the U.S. Congress on Tuesday,... Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that the current nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will only help Iran develop nuclear weapons capability.

"This deal has two major concessions: one, leaving Iran with a vast nuclear program and two, lifting the restrictions on that program in about a decade."

The Israeli prime minister also warned the deal will spark a fresh nuclear arms race in the Middle East, threatening stability in the region.
The speech received loud applause from Republican lawmakers, but Obama's fellow Democratic lawmakers expressed their discontent with the speech... and dozens boycotted the speech.

"The invitation and the speech set a dangerous precedent, whereby Congressional leaders from one party can invite a foreign politician to publicly oppose the policies of the sitting president on the House floor."

President Obama defended the position of his administration, saying... the Israeli prime minister didn't offer any viable alternatives.

"If we're successful in negotiating, then, in fact, this will be the best deal possible to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Nothing else comes close."

Obama refused to meet Netanyahu,... as the Israeli prime minister is facing an upcoming election later this month and the visit could be seen as interference.
Despite the Israeli prime minister's rejection of the deal,... the U.S. and Iran are continuing their nuclear talks in Switzerland.
The U.S. hopes to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,... in exchange for a gradual lifting of economic sanctions.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.