Israeli Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu said on March 2 that potential nuclear deal with Iran could threaten his country’s very survival, but insisted that relations between Israel and the United States remain solid.
Speaking at a pro-Israel conference in Washington, a day before he is due to speak to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Netanyahu said reports about “the demise of the U.S. relationship” are “not only premature, but it is wrong.”
Netanyahu accepted the invitation to speak to Congress from Republican lawmakers.
That has angered the White House, which was not consulted first.
But asked on March 2 if Netanyahu's speech to Congress would complicate negotiations with Iran, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said "It shouldn't" because "the international community is united" on pursuing a diplomatic resolution to international concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
Netanyahu disapproves of a deal now being negotiation by Iran and six world powers, including the United States.
He claims the deal will not prevent Tehran from building nuclear weapons.
