Israel’s Netanyahu warns Obama on working with Iran in Iraq (enemies are fighting each other)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, still stung by the interim agreement reached by the US and Iran that places restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program in return for easing sanctions, has offered his strategy to Obama on ISIS and Iran: “Weaken both.”

Netanyahu has advised the US against cooperating with Iran in an increasingly chaotic Iraq, where the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS, or ISIL) has made dramatic territorial gains in the north and center of the country.

The hawkish Israeli leader focused on the Obama administration’s balancing act in Iraq, with its Shi’ite-led government that continues to maintain decent relations with both Washington and Tehran. This poses a natural concern for Tel Aviv, which has long accused Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons – a claim that Iranian officials have consistently denied.

"What you're seeing in the Middle East today in Iraq and in Syria is the stark hatreds between radical Shi'ites, in this case led by Iran, and radical Sunnis led by al Qaeda and ISIS and others," Netanyahu told the NBC program "Meet the Press."

• "Now, both of these camps are enemies of the United States. And when your enemies are fighting each other, don't strengthen either one of them. Weaken both," he urged.

The comments from the Israeli PM come just days after Baghdad asked the US to initiate airstrikes against the Sunni extremist group, which has taken several towns in Anbar province, advancing closer to the capital..........................http://rt.com/news/167772-netanyahu-obama-iran-iraq/
23/6/14
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Related:

• Khamenei says Iran strongly opposes U.S. intervention in Iraq

• White House says it does not want military coordination with Iran

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• "US won’t try to pick Iraq leaders." (Kerry) -"We gave Iraq the chance to have an inclusive democracy." (Obama)

• Ομπάμα: «Θα στείλουμε 300 στρατιωτικούς συμβούλους στο Ιράκ». - «Δεν είναι δουλειά μας να επιλέγουμε τους ηγέτες του Ιράκ»

• Kerry says U.S. will act soon on Iraq, but at request of Baghdad government

• U.S. mulls Iraq options, sends warship to Gulf (to provide the American president with options for possible airstrikes)

• Possible US action on Iraq requires clearer picture (Pentagon)

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  • ISIL militants seize new town in Iraq. (Security forces withdrew to the Syrian border)

  • Iraqi troops withdraw from three cities in Anbar