Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a unique take on the criticism heard from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other government officials opposing the US deal in Geneva to reduce sanctions on Iran.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has been an outspoken opponent of the so-called P5+1 agreement which gives Iran additional breathing space regarding international community sanctions against Tehran.

Clinton is quoted in the daily Maariv telling a closed audience in the US that being that Israel is a close ally of the United States; veiled threats of a military strike against Iran by Netanyahu are viewed as credible. Therefore these threats emanating from Jerusalem assist America’s efforts to negotiate with Iran. Clinton is quoted saying the Israeli statements also strengthen America’s position against both Russia and China, allies of Iran.

The former secretary of state feels that the Israeli prime minister’s hard-line policy serves the US administration well for it signals Iran and her allies that an Israeli military strike may occur, compelling a willingness to negotiate and compromise.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)