(MENAFN- The Peninsula) US President Barack Obama said in an interview released yesterday that he is confident sanctions against Iran could be reimposed if Tehran violates an agreement to restrict its nuclear programme.
Obama told National Public Radio that US and European negotiators are trying to reach a deal with Iran in which sanctions could be reimposed without a UN Security Council vote, where Tehran-ally Russia would have a veto.
"We are absolutely convinced we can do it again," Obama said of the international sanctions, which have crippled Iran's economy.
He said a reimposition of sanctions would be triggered by a finding of the International Atomic Energy Agency that Tehran had broken the agreement. After reaching a framework deal last week, negotiators face an end-of-June deadline to reach a final agreement meant to prevent Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon.
Obama said a nuclear deal could help strengthen moderate elements in Iran. "If they are shown to have delivered for their people, presumably it strengthens their hand vis-a-vis some of the hardliners inside of Iran," he said.
Obama poured cold water on an Israeli demand that a deal be predicated on Tehran recognizing Israel. "The notion that we would condition Iran not getting nuclear weapons in a verifiable deal on Iran recognizing Israel is really akin to saying that we won't sign a deal unless the nature of the Iranian regime completely transforms," Obama said. "That is, I think, a fundamental misjudgment,"
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