Susan Rice says Netanyahu’s objections to Iran nuke deal ‘premature’

Washington – U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objection to Iran’s nuclear programme is ‘premature’.

Rice said that Netanyahu should stop criticizing any proposed interim deal on Iran’s nuclear program until such an agreement is finalized.

Rice said at the Washington Ideas Forum in Washington, D.C. that it was important that the deal be finalized before and judgment is made.

According to Politico, asked by Aspen Institute President Walter Isaacson if Netanyahu did not understand the deal before issuing his harsh attack on it last week, Rice did not mention Netanyahu by name but indicated that he did not.

She said that by definition it’s premature to judge it because the outlines have yet to be finalized.

Rice said any pact would ensure Iran’s nuclear program does not advance while the agreement is in effect.

A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Rice’s remarks, the report added.