Kerry meets Netanyahu to discuss Iran nukes

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in Jerusalem to discuss Israel's vocal opposition to the interim Iranian nuclear deal reached last month in Geneva.

Netanyahu had earlier called the Iranian nuclear agreement a "historic mistake." Kerry arrived in Jerusalem to convince Netanyahu to give the P5+1 talks with Iran a chance by lessening Israel's strident opposition.

After their hours-long meeting, Kerry addressed reporters and assured Israel that "the fundamental sanctions regime of oil and banking remains absolutely in place. It is not changed. And we will be stepping up our effort of enforcement through the Treasury Department and through the appropriate agencies of the United States” during the negotiations.

Kerry is expected to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah later today.

[UPI] [U.S. Department of State]