The Obama-Netanyahu scuttle continues, but the White House issued a clear statement on Iran that falls in line with the top Israeli priority. At a press conference today President Barack Obama said he would like to see new, tough sanctions on Iran “this spring,” meaning the administration is on the verge of implementing new sanctions within the coming weeks.
Halting Iran’s nuclear program — either through economic means or military measures — has been the top priority of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the pro-Israel lobby in the United States.
Even though Netanyahu has rebuffed U.S. efforts to halt construction in Jerusalem, the White House is sending a clear signal that it will back up Israel on the Iran front. In return, the Obama administration is probably looking for something in return — Israeli acquiescence on settlements.
Whether Netanyahu is willing to — or politically capable of — returning the favor has yet to be determined.
