Post date: Nov 24, 2013 4:11:33 PM
Israeli President says the success of Iran's nuclear deal with global powers will be judged by results, not words. Residents express mixed opinions.
JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 24, 2013) (REUTERS) - Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Sunday (November 24) that results will determine whether the nuclear deal between global powers and Iran reached in Geneva proves to be a success.
"Last night a deal was signed between the P5+1 and Iran. This is an interim deal. The success or failure of the deal will be judged by results, not by words. I would like to say to the Iranian people. You are not our enemies and we are not yours. There is a possibility to solve this issue diplomatically. It is in your hands. Reject terrorism. Stop the nuclear program. Stop the development of long-range missiles. Israel like others in the international community prefers a diplomatic solution," Peres said.Earlier on Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the deal and called it a historic mistake that left the production of atomic weapons
In the Israeli city of Tel Aviv residents expressed mixed feelings toward the deal.
"I am happy with the agreement because if, there are two possibilities a war with the Iranians or an agreement that will be good for the Americans and for the Israelis, I prefer the agreement and the peace," said Hakimi Aharon form Tel Aviv.
"If the agreement under those conditions they will signed then it will be a very bad agreement and I am against it. Although there are talks, I think the Western world gave up too easy and gave up of basic conditions while the Iranian did not move any step forward. They are very stubborn and I think at the bottom-line it will be very for the Western world not only for Israel for the western world," said Zaied Tsvee another resident from the same city.
The United States said the agreement halted Iran's most sensitive nuclear work, including the construction of the Arak research reactor, which is of special concern for the West as it could produce material for bombs.
The deal would neutralise Iran's stockpile of uranium refined to a fissile concentration of 20 percent - a close step away from the level needed for weapons - and called for intrusive U.N. nuclear inspections, a senior U.S. official said.
The Islamic Republic also promised to stop uranium enrichment above a fissile purity of 5 percent, a U.S. fact sheet said.
Netanyahu, whose country is widely assumed to be the Middle East's sole nuclear power, had called for a total dismantling of Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.
Tehran denies it is pursuing atomic weapons, saying its nuclear programme is a peaceful energy project.