WATCH: 'Iranian Hardliners Making Common Cause With Republicans,' Quips Obama
While speaking at American University in Washington, D.C. in defense of his landmark nuclear deal with Iran, President Obama took a jab at Republicans opposing the deal - comparing them to Iranians who chant 'Death to America.'
Short transcript:
- Kerry: Only alternative to Iran nuclear deal would be war
- Netanyahu stokes Holocaust guilt to pit American Jews against Obama and Iran deal
- Obama: Every country in the world except Israel supports the Iran deal
- Iran's Zarif: Obama's nuke deal speech aimed at 'calming Zionists'
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President Obama: I recognize that resorting to force may be tempting in the face of the rhetoric and behavior that emanates from parts of Iran. It is offensive. It is incendiary. We do take it seriously.
But superpowers should not act impulsively in response to taunts or even provocations that can be addressed short of war. Just because Iranian hardliners chant "Death to America" does not mean that that's what all Iranians believe. In fact, it's those...
(APPLAUSE)
In fact, it's those hardliners who are most comfortable with the status quo. It's those hardliners chanting "Death to America" who have been most opposed to the deal. They're making common cause with the Republican Caucus.
(APPLAUSE)
The majority of the Iranian people have powerful incentives to urge their government to move in a different, less provocative direction, incentives that are strengthened by this deal. We should offer them that chance. We should give them the opportunity.