Iran fears at forefront for Netanyahu at his U.S. Congress address

World Today

The Israeli Prime Minister’s trip to Washington and his speech to the U.S. Congress was one of the most talked about political events this week. In his address Benjamin Netanyahu focused on Iran and what he feels is an impending danger to his country’s security. Some applauded his comments on the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, while others said his words were nothing new.
CCTV America’s Roee Ruttenberg filed this report from Washington.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington to present his case against Iran before the Republican controlled U.S. Congress. U.S. President Barack Obama was not in attendance.

Israeli officials fear the U.S. may go easy on Iran this week at talks in Switzerland. The talks are aimed to curtail Tehran’s nuclear capabilities while ensuring enough time for Western powers to react if Iranians try to develop nuclear weapons.

Top ranking Democrats disagreed and dismissed Netanyahu’s speech. They called it insulting to American intelligence.

U.S. President Barack Obama chimed in, saying it offered nothing new.

After the speech, some members of the U.S. Congress said they feared Israel might take matters into its own hands if it fears Washington isn’t doing the job the Israeli government in power wants to see.

Benjamin Netanyahu is popular with Republican politicians in the U.S. with many Senators and Representatives sharing his hawkish view of Iran, the Middle East and global security.


Iran’s perspective on Netanyahu’s U.S. Congress address

CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke with Trita Parsi of the National Iranian American Council. He discussed why he believes a deal between the U.S. and Iran is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s greatest fear.