A senior US official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu�™s fierce opposition to a recent deal between Iran and six world powers is �œweak and desperate.”<\/p>\n
The White House, however, regards Netanyahu�™s opposition as �œno great concern” to US diplomatic efforts, the official told Israel�™s Channel 10 news on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, Britain, Russia, France and China – plus Germany, sealed an interim nuclear deal in Geneva on November 24 which aims to pave the way for the full resolution of the West�™s decade-old dispute with Iran over the country�™s nuclear energy program.<\/p>\n
According to Israeli military sources, Netanyahu has ordered Mossad and Israeli Military Intelligence to find evidence of Iranian �œviolations” of the Geneva deal.<\/p>\n
The hawkish prime minster has repeatedly said, both before and after the signing of the deal in Geneva, that the accord was a �œhistoric mistake.”<\/p>\n
The unnamed US official said Netanyahu�™s remarks �œindicate a lack of self-confidence,” adding that the �œwe�™re not excited about his vocal opposition.”<\/p>\n
He also criticized the Israeli premier for his efforts to discredit the Iran nuclear deal. �œToo bad he does not trust us,” the official said. �œWe know what we�™re doing on Iran. We�™re not naive.”<\/p>\n
The official acknowledged that Netanyahu was appealing to members of Congress to kill the Geneva deal but added that the Obama administration did not consider him a threat.<\/p>\n
US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have strongly defended the nuclear agreement with Iran, pushing back against rising criticism from Israel and Congress.<\/p>\n
Iran says the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which Tehran is a signatory, entitles the country to continue uranium enrichment.<\/p>\n
AT\/HJ<\/p>\n