U.S. President Barack Obama told the UN General Assembly Tuesday that there is still time for diplomacy when it comes to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, while underscoring that the U.S. would not tolerate a nuclear armed Iran.
(SOUNDBITE) (English)U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Let me be clear: America wants to resolve this issue through diplomacy, and we believe that there is still time and space to do so. But that time is not unlimited."
Obama said the U.S. will never let Iran develop an atomic bomb and then simply contain the problem.
(SOUNDBITE) (English)U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Make no mistake: a nuclear-armed Iran is not a challenge that can be contained. It would threaten the elimination of Israel, the security of Gulf nations, and the stability of the global economy. It risks triggering a nuclear-arms race in the region, and the unraveling of the non-proliferation treaty. That is why a coalition of countries is holding the Iranian government accountable. And that is why the United States will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
But the Obama administration has stopped short of meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand to set a clear "red line" that Iran must not cross if it is to avoid military action.
