U.S.: Deal With Iran Shouldn't Include Clause About Recognition of Israel

The U.S. rejected Saturday Israel's demand that the final deal between the world powers and Iran regarding its nuclear program would include recognition of "Israel's right to exist," Fox News reported.

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State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters that the deal is "an agreement that is only about the nuclear issue," and that it doesn't deal with any other issues.

"Nor should it," she added.

On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that any final agreement with Iran include the aforementioned clause, a day after negotiators in Switzerland announced a framework for a nuclear deal.

"Israel will not accept a deal that will allow a state that calls for its destruction to acquire nuclear weapons," he said in a statement to the press.

Asked about the demand, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said he had not seen the specific request but was aware of Israel's ongoing concerns.

"We understand his position," Schultz told reporters aboard Air Force One, "The president would never sign onto a deal that he felt was a threat to the state of Israel."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rohani, in a televised speech, on Friday hailed the framework as "a first step towards productive interactions with the world."