Israeli President Shimon Peres Optimistic on Iran Nuclear Deal

Israeli President Shimon Peres

Cautious optimism is warranted, says Israel’s Nobel Laureate Peres. In agreement with Peres is another Nobel laureate, Egypt’s Mohammed ElBaradei, a pro-democracy leader and a former IAEA director. Leaders in Bahrain and the UAE also praise the agreement. Here Al Jazeera America outlines the mixed global reactions over the Geneva accord.

Israel feels especially threatened by Iran, given Tehran’s previous threats against Israel, its support for militant groups on Israel’s borders and its development of long-range missiles. Nonetheless, Israeli President Shimon Peres, a Nobel Peace laureate, expressed cautious optimism that Sunday’s deal could change the region. “I would like to say to the Iranian people: You are not our enemies and we are not yours. There is a possibility to solve this issue diplomatically. It is in your hands. Reject terrorism. Stop the nuclear program. Stop the development of long-range missiles,” he said. Another Nobel peace laureate, Mohammed ElBaradei, Egypt’s pro-democracy leader and a former IAEA director, welcomed the deal. In a tweet on his official account, he wrote: “After decade of failed policies, world better off w/ Iran deal. Equity, trust building, respect & dialogue R key to any conflict resolution.” The muted response in the Gulf came after the rulers of Qatar and Kuwait met Saudi King Abdullah over the weekend to discuss regional issues, foremost among them Iran. Bucking the trend, the tiny Gulf countries of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates praised the agreement. “We welcome this agreement if it will (bring) the end of the fear of any weapons of mass destruction in the region,” Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told reporters in Manama.