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Saturday, December 7, 2013

On Middle East visit, Kerry sees hope of progress for Iran, Israel

The United States and Israel are "absolutely in sync" about the need to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday.

Talk of Iran's nuclear program took center stage in close to nine hours of talks Thursday and Friday between Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Kerry met with Netanyahu for the first time since the U.S. and five other world powers reached a deal with Iran over its nuclear program.

His talks aimed to convince the Israeli leader to move beyond the "first step" deal and work on a comprehensive agreement that addresses all of Israel's concerns about Iran's program.
Kerry: Iran isn't North Korea
Israel's displeasure in nuclear deal
Iranian Jews on Tehran's nuclear program

Once just speculation, differences between the U.S. and Israel on how to deal with Iran's nuclear program have spilled into an open rift between the two allies.

Netanyahu has accused international powers that reached a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program of making a "historic mistake" that could put Israel in grave danger.

The agreement calls for the easing of economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for increased inspections and limits on the country's uranium enrichment program, which many international analysts fear is meant for military purposes.

The Israeli leader wants to eliminate Iran's capability entirely, rather than merely suspend Tehran's nuclear development. He is adamantly opposed to any enrichment on Iranian soil, but this week Wendy Sherman, the lead U.S. negotiator for the Iran talks, said Washington would be willing to consider a limited, closely monitored Iranian enrichment program.

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