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 The November 24 accord in Geneva was denounced as a "historic
mistake" by Netanyahu, increasing strains in an alliance already
marked by his past disputes with U.S. President Barack Obama over
strategy on Iran and the Palestinians.
Visiting Israel as the talks with Tehran gathered pace, Kerry met an
irate Netanyahu. But they worked to affirm their friendship on
Thursday: Their offices issued pictures of them smiling in private
conversation, and while briefing reporters afterwards Kerry referred
to Netanyahu by his nickname "Bibi".
Israel argues an easing of some sanctions on Iran before it abandons
nuclear projects with bomb-making potential risks snowballing as
foreign business partners rush into the breach.
"Steps must be taken to prevent a further erosion of sanctions,"
said Netanyahu, who has described a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic
as a mortal menace to the Jewish state. Iran says it enriching
uranium only for peaceful nuclear energy.
Kerry said Washington would confer closely with its Israeli ally
about crafting a permanent Iran agreement after the six-month
confidence-building period laid out by the Geneva deal under which
Iran will curb sensitive aspects of its nuclear program in exchange
for limited relief from sanctions.
"I can't emphasize enough that Israel's security in this negotiation
is at the top of our agenda and the United States will do everything
in its power to make certain that Iran's nuclear program, the
program's weaponisation possibilities, is terminated," Kerry said.
GOING SLOW ON SANCTIONS
The Obama administration was warning any other country against
"moving ahead of sanctions" in trading with Iran, Kerry said.
"The fundamental sanctions regime of oil and banking remains
absolutely in place. It is not changed. And we will be stepping up
our effort of enforcement through the Treasury Department and
through the appropriate agencies of the United States," Kerry said.
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Israel's fierce opposition about the Geneva deal have raised
speculation — fuelled by regular public hints from Netanyahu — that
it might carry out long-threatened unilateral strikes against Iran.
But while Israel is widely assumed to have the region's only nuclear
arsenal, many independent analysts believe it lacks the conventional
clout to deliver lasting damage to the distant, dispersed and
well-defended Iranian facilities.
The Israelis are also unlikely to go it alone as their most
important foreign partner is engaged in diplomacy with Tehran.
Hoping to stay Israel's hand, the Americans have invested heavily in
its strategic defenses. Kerry said that during his visit he hoped to
tour Palmahim air base, near Tel Aviv, where Israel's
command-and-control centre for the Arrow ballistic missile
interceptor and other systems is located.
"I want to see first-hand the remarkable ballistic missile defense
technologies in place that our nation has spent over 20 years
building with our friends here in Israel," he said.
"The advancement of these programs in recent years, I think, is a
reflection of President Obama's and his administration's strong
commitment, unwavering commitment to Israel's security."
(Writing by Dan Williams; editing by Mark Heinrich)
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