Obama seeks to reassure Israeli PM on Iran nuclear deal

The U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone, trying to reassure the latter by saying the Iran nuclear agreement will "verifiably" prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

After announcing the world powers had come to an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program, Obama told Netanyahu that the deal "will not diminish our concerns regarding Iran's support for terrorism and threats toward Israel," said the White House in a press release about the phone call.

Obama also underscored his administration's "stalwart commitment to Israel's security" and noted that the agreement " will remove the specter of a nuclear-armed Iran, an outcome in the national security interest of the United States and Israel."

Obama told Netanyahu that Defense Secretary Ash Carter's planned travel to Israel next week is "a reflection of the unprecedented level of security cooperation between the United States and Israel."

Netanyahu, who opposes negotiations with Iran and a nuclear deal, said Tuesday that the agreement struck is a "historic mistake for the world," vowing to continue efforts to block final passage of the deal.

Israel have repeatedly expressed its concern that sanctions relief on Iran in exchange for Iran's promise to curtail its nuclear program could put Israel in danger. Endite