Obama defends Iran policy amid Israel anger

Obama has come under fierce criticism for pursuing a diplomatic solution to the Iran question

US President Barack Obama defended his administration's Iran policy but said "huge challenges" remained to successfully implement a landmark deal on Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Obama has come under fierce criticism from Republican rivals at home and key allies abroad, such as Israel, for pursuing a diplomatic solution to the Iran question.

Israel decried the breakthrough agreement reached in Geneva on Sunday -- under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for an easing of sanctions -- as a "historic mistake."

Obama, however, insisted yesterday that the US policy of diplomacy twinned with sanctions had been more productive than rhetoric, stating that "tough talk" alone would not guarantee US security.

"For the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress on Iran's nuclear program," Obama said. "Key parts of the program will be rolled back."

Obama said diplomacy would continue over the coming months in a bit to settle "once and for all" the "threat of Iran's nuclear program."

"Huge challenges remain, but we cannot close the door on diplomacy, and we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world's problems," Obama said.

"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 yesterday, France said the European Union could begin lifting sanctions on Iran next month as world powers set about implementing the deal with Tehran while seeking to placate a furious Israel.

In a radio interview, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said EU foreign ministers were to meet next month to discuss lifting some sanctions as part of the deal, a move he said could take place "in December."

One senior Western diplomat, who refused to be named, told AFP the focus in the coming weeks would be "swift implementation".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday decided to send his national security advisor to Washington for talks on Iran after warning the deal will convince Tehran it has a free hand to achieve a breakout nuclear capability.