Obama defends interim Iran nuclear deal
US President Barack Obama has defended a deal between Iran and world powers on Tehran's nuclear programme, the BBC reported.
He acknowledged that obstacles remained but said "tough talk and bluster" did not guarantee US security.
The six-month interim deal struck in Geneva on Sunday saw Iran agree to curb some of its nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
The accord has been generally welcomed but Israel's prime minister called it "a historic mistake."
Some US senators also criticised the deal as too soft on Iran and have threatened to press for fresh sanctions.
"Huge challenges remain, but we cannot close the door on diplomacy, and we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world's problems," Mr Obama said during an event in San Francisco.
"We cannot commit ourselves to an endless cycle of violence, and tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it's not the right thing for our security."
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that an Israeli team led by national security adviser Yossi Cohen would travel to Washington for talks on the deal.
"This accord must bring about one outcome: the dismantling of Iran's military nuclear capability," he said.
He has warned that Israel "will not allow a regime that calls for the destruction of Israel to obtain the means to achieve this goal."
Israel has not ruled out taking military action to stop Iran developing the capability of a nuclear bomb.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says some EU sanctions on Iran could be lifted as early as next month.
Saudi Arabia - Iran's regional rival - cautiously welcomed the deal on Monday.
"This agreement could be a first step towards a comprehensive solution for Iran's nuclear programme, if there are good intentions," a statement said.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague also welcomed the Geneva accord, but said it was only a "first step."
"We are right to test to the full Iran's readiness to act in good faith," he told the House of Commons on Monday.
Newsfeed
Videos
Artur Vanetsyan: I think you'll see me more often at various events in future
