Israeli President Shimon Peres on Sunday said that the interim deal between the world's leading powers and Iran requires time and the compromise of the country's people.
Peres' words came on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's harsh critique of the recent deal that the P5+1 reached with Iran. In sharp contrast with Netanyahu's words earlier on Sunday, Peres opted to judge the agreement by its results.
"The success or failure of the deal will be judged by results, not by words," a statement sent to the press from the president's office read on Sunday, adding that "Israel like others in the international community prefers a diplomatic solution."
The presidential office denied that Peres' words contradicted Netanyahu's.
"He is not contradicting the prime minister, only echoing what he said earlier, referring to the deal. He only pointed out that Iran must give up its nuclear program, just like Mr. Netanyahu said," a spokesman at Peres' office told Xinhua.
However, the Israeli president also warned Iranians of the consequences of failing to proceed with the deal.
"I want to remind everyone of what President Obama said and what I have personally heard from other leaders. The international community will not tolerate a nuclear Iran. And if the diplomatic path fails, the nuclear option will be prevented by other means. The alternative is far worse," the statement read.
Netanyahu's response to Saturday's interim deal in Geneva was to strongly warn the world against Iran's nuclear program. The agreement was signed by six world powers including the U.S., to ease economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran's compromise to bring Uranium enrichment almost to a halt.
According to Netanyahu this was not a historical deal, as it was quoted on the international press.
"What was accomplished last night in Geneva is not a historic agreement; it's a historic mistake," he said during Sunday's weekly Cabinet meeting.
"Today the world has become much more dangerous, because the most dangerous regime in the world took a meaningful step toward acquiring the most dangerous weapon in the world," Netanyahu said.
