Obama, Netanyahu (again) dispute Iran deal

It doesn't sound like President Obama and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a very pleasant conversation about the proposed Iran deal.

In its readout of Thursday's call, the White House said Obama emphasized that "the framework represents significant progress towards a lasting, comprehensive solution that cuts off all of Iran's pathways to a bomb and verifiably ensures the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program going forward."

Netanyahu spokesman Mark Regev said the prime minister had a blunt response to Obama: "A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel."

Obama and Netanyahu argued about the Iran talks before Thursday's announcement of a new framework for a deal. They figure to argue for at least another three months as negotiators try to put together the precise details of a final agreement ahead of a June 30 deadline.

Congressional Republicans, some Democrats, the leaders of some Arab nations, and other critics share Netanyahu's skepticism that Iran will give up the drive to nuclear weapons.

In announcing the new framework, Obama said he will be talking with lawmakers and global counterparts in defense of the proposed agreement.

In the phone call with Netanyahu, Obama "underscored that progress on the nuclear issue in no way diminishes our concerns with respect to Iran's sponsorship of terrorism and threats towards Israel and emphasized that the United States remains steadfast in our commitment to the security of Israel," the White House said.

The statement added that Obama told the prime minister that "he has directed his national security team to increase consultations with the new Israeli government about how we can further strengthen our long-term security cooperation with Israel and remain vigilant in countering Iran's threats."

In a string of tweets, Netanyahu spokesman Regev outlined a series of objections to the Iran plan.

"This deal would legitimize Iran's nuclear program, bolster Iran's economy & increase Iran's aggression & terror," Regev tweeted.

"Such a deal would not block Iran's path to the bomb," he added. "It would pave it."

Netanyahu also said that "the alternative is standing firm and increasing the pressure on Iran until a better deal is achieved," Regev wrote.