Obama calls Netanyahu’s remarks on Iran noise

U.S. President Barack Obama has described remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran's nuclear energy program as "noise" he tries to ignore. "When it comes to our national security decisions -- any pressure that I feel is simply to do what's right for the American people. And I am going to block out -- any noise that's out there," Obama said in an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes on Sunday. His response came after he was asked whether he was feeling any pressure from Tel Aviv. The weekly Standard HIGHLIGHTS Netanyahu recently urged the United States to establish what he called a "red line" regarding Tehran's nuclear program beyond which the United States would be compelled to act. AFP Tensions have been running high between the United States and Israeli leader, and they will not hold a face-to-face meeting this week at the UN General Assembly in New York. The White House has cited scheduling problems. AFP Adding further spice to the simmering debate is, of course, the looming U.S. presidential election in November. Whether by design or by default, Netanyahu’s criticism of current U.S. policy has given the Republicans a useful line of attack against President Obama, who stands accused of “throwing Israel under the bus”. FT In his interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney criticized Obama for his failure to meet Netanyahu either in New York this week or in Washington. He said this sent a message that the U.S. was distancing itself from its allies. "I think we also have to communicate that Israel is our ally. Our close ally. The president's decision not to meet with Bibi Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, when the prime minister is here for the United Nations session I think is a mistake and sends a message throughout the Middle East that somehow we distance ourselves from our friends and I think the exact opposite approach is what's necessary," Romney said. President Obama also raised the prospect that Romney might want to start another war in the Middle East. Businessweek “If Governor Romney is suggesting that we should start another war, he should say so,” Obama said. FACTS & FIGURES The U.S. Senate voted 90-1 early Saturday on the bill, which was introduced several months ago by Senators Lindsey Graham, Bob Casey and Joe Lieberman. RT Passage of the resolution comes at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressuring the U.S. for an answer as to what would prompt a U.S.-led military strike against Iran. RT Currently, the U.S. is already imposing tough sanctions on Iran to limit its oil sales, hurt its economy and make it problematic for Iran to finance its nuclear enrichment program. RT The U.S., Israel and their allies say Tehran may intend to use its nuclear capability to produce atomic bombs, a claim Iran strongly rejects. Tehran insists its program is completely peaceful. AGB/HJ
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