Obama Admits Seeking a 10 Year Deal with Iran After Denying it Last Week

‘Why would we not take that deal when we know the alternatives, whether through sanctions or military actions, will not result in as much assurance that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon?’

OBAMA: "I don’t think it’s permanently destructive. I think that it is a distraction from what should be our focus. And our focus should be,‘How do we stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon?... So the question is this: If in fact we are trying to finalize a deal, why not wait to see a) is there actually going to be a deal? Can Iran accept the terms that we’re laying out? If in fact Iran can accept terms that would ensure a one year breakout period for ten years or longer and during that period we know Iran is not developing a nuclear weapon - we have inspectors on the ground that give us assurances that they’re not creating a covert program - why would we not take that deal when we know the alternatives, whether through sanctions or military actions, will not result in as much assurance that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon? There’s no good reason for us not to let the negotiations play themselves out. Then we’ll show, here - here’s the deal that’s been negotiated, does it make sense? And I am confident that if, in fact, a deal is arrived at, then it’s going to be a deal that is most likely to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon."
REUTERS: "How would you judge, what’s your assessment of the percentage likelihood now of this happening."
OBAMA: "The likelihood of?"
REUTERS: "Of a deal coming through? You’ve said before less than 50 percent."
OBAMA: "You know, I would say that it’s probably still more likely than not that Iran doesn’t get to yes. But I think in fairness to them, they have been serious negotiators. And they’ve got their own politics inside of Iran. It is more likely that we could get a deal now than perhaps three or five months ago. But there are still some big gaps that have to be filled."

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