On Sunday, at a Jerusalem Post conference in New York, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew - an Orthodox Jew and a close adviser of President Barack Obama - was repeatedly booed loudly during a speech to a crowd consisting largely of American Jews.
But Dempsey said the long-term prospects were “far better” with an Iran that was not a nuclear weapons power.
The Obama administration may have to backtrack on its promise that it will suspend only nuclear-related economic sanctions on Iran as part of an emerging nuclear agreement, officials and others involved in the process tell The Associated Press.
“I only ask that you listen to me as we’ve listened to you”, said a slightly flustered Lew, following his hostile reception from an audience about two-thirds full at the Marriott Marquis events hall.
Lew acknowledged that Iran would likely not end its support for terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah, following the signing of a nuclear agreement.
“If a deal is made… we need to re-engage with them quickly and comprehensively to make that determination”, he said. “We are not operating under an assumption that Iran will act in good faith”. “That is not what this deal is about”. Officials say the administration can meet its obligations because of how it interprets nuclear sanctions. Lew said the fluctuations were normal and expected.
“Because of the aggressive sanctions that have been put in place for over a decade, Iran has been completely cut off the global financial system”, Lew said to light applause.
Following Lew’s address, Israeli Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz attempted to simmer tensions by thanking Lew for his efforts to secure a spot for Israel in the elite Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development when he was deputy secretary of state in 2010. Some United States lawmakers and Israel are among the fiercest critics of the talks with Iran, arguing a negotiated deal wouldn’t prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear bombs. Steinitz said policy should not be based on the hope Iran would change for the better. Giuliani also contended that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power should not be trusted since it has more than enough oil to power the country.
