White House denies Obama refused to meet Israeli PM over Iran

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintain contact following tensions over Iran...

15:08 12 September 2012

U.S. officials have slammed reports that President Barack Obama denied a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. The two are linked over tensions regarding Iranian nuclear weapons.

 

Some reports stated the Israeli office requested a meeting with Mr. Obama for the UN General Assembly, in New York, and that the U.S. squashed this. The White House has denied reports that PM Netanyahu has been snubbed, with spokesman Tommy Vietor explaining there was no request or refusal.

 

He told the BBC: "They're simply not in the city at the same time."

 

A statement from the White House on Tuesday night confirmed Mr. Obama and Mr. Netanyahu had met for an hour. It reads: “The two leaders discussed the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program, and our close co-operation on Iran and other security issues.”

 

Mr. Netanyahu has passed comments on those countries who failed to draw up ‘red lines’ in relation to Iran.

 

"Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel,” he said on Tuesday, as reported by The Telegraph.

 

Previously Mr. Netanyahu had criticised America over Iran’s nuclear programme, but it is understood the two countries are committed to the issue concerning Iran. Iran is suspected by some to be creating a nuclear weapon, with this idea being denied by Tehran, the Iranian capital, who insist its programme is peaceful.

 

The claims relate to 2009 where, as reported by the BBC recently, an image provided by satellite reflected operations inside a mountain near Qom.  Iran maintains its actions are linked to civilian reasons and aspects such as energy and medicine will benefit from them.

 

Allegedly Mr. Netanyahu thinks peaceful methods towards the issue with Iran are futile, fearing them to be close to acquiring a nuclear bomb.

 

Mr. Obama is currently partaking in an American election campaign.