President Shimon Peres, conducted a work meeting with Wendy Sherman, the Undersecretary of State who manages the negotiations with Iran. Sherman, who arrived from the negotiations in Kazakhstan to Israel, briefed President Peres on the developments in the negotiations and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States of America to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear armed state. President Peres said, "After your in-depth briefing I am remain convinced that President Obama will do all he can to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and that under his leadership the American administration will not cease in their attempts to find a solution to the Iranian threat." Undersecretary Sherman thanked President Peres and said, "America has no better friend than you. I know that President Obama and Secretary Kerry so look forward to coming here and to the region and to talking about all the things we work on together for peace and security."

 

During the meeting between the two President Peres raised before Undersecretary Sherman the severity with which Israel views Iran's attempts to acquire nuclear weapons and stressed that a nuclear Iran is an existential threat for peace in the world and not just Israel, "In Iran people are hanged without trial. Iran funds and arms the world's deadliest terror organizations. Instead of caring for the welfare of their people they invest huge resources into enriching uranium and do incredible harm to human rights." President Peres continued and said, "I have total faith in the Obama administration in its commitment and its actions in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and I believe that President Obama stands behind his promise on the Iranian threat."

 

President Peres also addressed the new appointments in the White House and foremost the appointments of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense, John Kerry as Secretary of State and Jack Lew as Treasury Secretary and said, "I know Hagel who visited Israel as a senator and we held a long conversation, I was deeply impressed by his connection to Israel. I disagree with the skepticism surrounding him – I have no doubt of his deep commitment to Israel's security. I am sure that the new Secretary of Defense will continue the current administration's deep commitment to the State of Israel. I congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to working together with him for peace and security in the Middle East." President Peres also congratulated John Kerry and Jack Lew.

Comunicated by the Spokesperson's Department Office of the President of Israel.

Photo Credit: Yosef Avi Yair Engel.​