Obama: Window Remains for Peaceful Solution to Iran Nuclear Issue

From Globalsecurity:

President Barack Obama says he believes there is still time to achieve a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue, but that Iran’s leaders need to make a decision to forsake pursuit of nuclear weapons. Mr. Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Iran, troubled Israel-Palestinian peace efforts, and the Arab Spring during a meeting at the White House.

It was their first face to face meeting since May of last year, when developments in the Arab Spring dominated the world’s attention, along with frustrations in the Israel-Palestinian peace process.

The main issue in Monday’s discussions was Iran’s nuclear program and how much time remains for diplomacy and sanctions to turn Iran away from what the U.S. and Israel believe is a course toward developing a nuclear weapon.

In remarks to reporters before the talks, President Obama said it is unacceptable “for Israel to have a country with a nuclear weapon that has called for its destruction.”

Describing the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security as “rock solid,” Mr. Obama reiterated his view that more time is needed for sanctions and other pressure on Iran to work.

“We do believe that there is still a window that allows for a diplomatic resolution to this issue, but ultimately the Iranian regime has to make a decision to move in that direction, a decision that they have not made thus far,” said the president.

Peaceful Solution…requires other side’s cooperation, but what does the other side have in mind for a peaceful solution?

Rock Solid?