Netanyahu: ‘Don't be fooled’ on Iran and Islamic State(1:38)
Speaking to Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iranian regime will always be an enemy of the U.S. and its battle against Islamic State does not change that. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing a joint meeting of Congress; here is a complete transcript of his remarks.

NETANYAHU: Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you...

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... Speaker of the House John Boehner, President Pro Tem Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Minority -- Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

I also want to acknowledge Senator, Democratic Leader Harry Reid. Harry, it's good to see you back on your feet.

(APPLAUSE)

I guess it's true what they say, you can't keep a good man down.

(LAUGHTER)

My friends, I'm deeply humbled by the opportunity to speak for a third time before the most important legislative body in the world, the U.S. Congress.

(APPLAUSE)

I want to thank you all for being here today. I know that my speech has been the subject of much controversy. I deeply regret that some perceive my being here as political. That was never my intention.

I want to thank you, Democrats and Republicans, for your common support for Israel, year after year, decade after decade.

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I know that no matter on which side of the aisle you sit, you stand with Israel.

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[READ: Republicans loved every word of Bibi's address]

The remarkable alliance between Israel and the United States has always been above politics. It must always remain above politics.

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Because America and Israel, we share a common destiny, the destiny of promised lands that cherish freedom and offer hope. Israel is grateful for the support of American -- of America's people and of America's presidents, from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.

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We appreciate all that President Obama has done for Israel.

Now, some of that is widely known.

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Some of that is widely known, like strengthening security cooperation and intelligence sharing, opposing anti-Israel resolutions at the U.N.

Some of what the president has done for Israel is less well- known.

I called him in 2010 when we had the Carmel forest fire, and he immediately agreed to respond to my request for urgent aid.


In 2011, we had our embassy in Cairo under siege, and again, he provided vital assistance at the crucial moment.

Or his support for more missile interceptors during our operation last summer when we took on Hamas terrorists.

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In each of those moments, I called the president, and he was there.

And some of what the president has done for Israel might never be known, because it touches on some of the most sensitive and strategic issues that arise between an American president and an Israeli prime minister.

But I know it, and I will always be grateful to President Obama for that support.

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And Israel is grateful to you, the American Congress, for your support, for supporting us in so many ways, especially in generous military assistance and missile defense, including Iron Dome.

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Last summer, millions of Israelis were protected from thousands of Hamas rockets because this capital dome helped build our Iron Dome.

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Thank you, America. Thank you for everything you've done for Israel.

My friends, I've come here today because, as prime minister of Israel, I feel a profound obligation to speak to you about an issue that could well threaten the survival of my country and the future of my people: Iran's quest for nuclear weapons.

We're an ancient people. In our nearly 4,000 years of history, many have tried repeatedly to destroy the Jewish people. Tomorrow night, on the Jewish holiday of Purim, we'll read the Book of Esther. We'll read of a powerful Persian viceroy named Haman, who plotted to destroy the Jewish people some 2,500 years ago. But a courageous Jewish woman, Queen Esther, exposed the plot and gave for the Jewish people the right to defend themselves against their enemies.

The plot was foiled. Our people were saved.

(APPLAUSE)

Today the Jewish people face another attempt by yet another Persian potentate to destroy us. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei spews the oldest hatred, the oldest hatred of anti-Semitism with the newest technology. He tweets that Israel must be annihilated -- he tweets. You know, in Iran, there isn't exactly free Internet. But he tweets in English that Israel must be destroyed. 

For those who believe that Iran threatens the Jewish state, but not the Jewish people, listen to Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, Iran's chief terrorist proxy. He said: If all the Jews gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of chasing them down around the world. 

But Iran's regime is not merely a Jewish problem, any more than the Nazi regime was merely a Jewish problem. The 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis were but a fraction of the 60 million people killed in World War II. So, too, Iran's regime poses a grave threat, not only to Israel, but also the peace of the entire world. To understand just how dangerous Iran would be with nuclear weapons, we must fully understand the nature of the regime.

True, certain restrictions would be imposed on Iran's nuclear program and Iran's adherence to those restrictions would be supervised by international inspectors. But here's the problem. You see, inspectors document violations; they don't stop them.

Inspectors knew when North Korea broke to the bomb, but that didn't stop anything. North Korea turned off the cameras, kicked out the inspectors. Within a few years, it got the bomb.

Now, we're warned that within five years North Korea could have an arsenal of 100 nuclear bombs.

Like North Korea, Iran, too, has defied international inspectors. It's done that on at least three separate occasions -- 2005, 2006, 2010. Like North Korea, Iran broke the locks, shut off the cameras. 

Now, I know this is not gonna come a shock -- as a shock to any of you, but Iran not only defies inspectors, it also plays a pretty good game of hide-and-cheat with them. 

The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA, said again yesterday that Iran still refuses to come clean about its military nuclear program. Iran was also caught -- caught twice, not once, twice -- operating secret nuclear facilities in Natanz and Qom, facilities that inspectors didn't even know existed. 

Right now, Iran could be hiding nuclear facilities that we don't know about, the U.S. and Israel. As the former head of inspections for the IAEA said in 2013, he said, "If there's no undeclared installation today in Iran, it will be the first time in 20 years that it doesn't have one." Iran has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted. And that's why the first major concession is a source of great concern. It leaves Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure and relies on inspectors to prevent a breakout. That concession creates a real danger that Iran could get to the bomb by violating the deal.

But the second major concession creates an even greater danger that Iran could get to the bomb by keeping the deal. Because virtually all the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program will automatically expire in about a decade. 

Now, a decade may seem like a long time in political life, but it's the blink of an eye in the life of a nation. It's a blink of an eye in the life of our children. We all have a responsibility to consider what will happen when Iran's nuclear capabilities are virtually unrestricted and all the sanctions will have been lifted. Iran would then be free to build a huge nuclear capacity that could product many, many nuclear bombs. 

Iran's Supreme Leader says that openly. He says, Iran plans to have 190,000 centrifuges, not 6,000 or even the 19,000 that Iran has today, but 10 times that amount -- 190,000 centrifuges enriching uranium. With this massive capacity, Iran could make the fuel for an entire nuclear arsenal and this in a matter of weeks, once it makes that decision. 

My long-time friend, John Kerry, Secretary of State, confirmed last week that Iran could legitimately possess that massive centrifuge capacity when the deal expires. 

Now I want you to think about that. The foremost sponsor of global terrorism could be weeks away from having enough enriched uranium for an entire arsenal of nuclear weapons and this with full international legitimacy. 

And by the way, if Iran's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program is not part of the deal, and so far, Iran refuses to even put it on the negotiating table. Well, Iran could have the means to deliver that nuclear arsenal to the far-reach corners of the earth, including to every part of the United States. 

So you see, my friends, this deal has two major concessions: one, leaving Iran with a vast nuclear program and two, lifting the restrictions on that program in about a decade. That's why this deal is so bad. It doesn't block Iran's path to the bomb; it paves Iran's path to the bomb.

So why would anyone make this deal? Because they hope that Iran will change for the better in the coming years, or they believe that the alternative to this deal is worse?

Well, I disagree. I don't believe that Iran's radical regime will change for the better after this deal. This regime has been in power for 36 years, and its voracious appetite for aggression grows with each passing year. This deal would wet appetite -- would only wet Iran's appetite for more.

Would Iran be less aggressive when sanctions are removed and its economy is stronger? If Iran is gobbling up four countries right now while it's under sanctions, how many more countries will Iran devour when sanctions are lifted? Would Iran fund less terrorism when it has mountains of cash with which to fund more terrorism?

Why should Iran's radical regime change for the better when it can enjoy the best of both world's: aggression abroad, prosperity at home?

This is a question that everyone asks in our region. Israel's neighbors -- Iran's neighbors know that Iran will become even more aggressive and sponsor even more terrorism when its economy is unshackled and it's been given a clear path to the bomb.

And many of these neighbors say they'll respond by racing to get nuclear weapons of their own. So this deal won't change Iran for the better; it will only change the Middle East for the worse. A deal that's supposed to prevent nuclear proliferation would instead spark a nuclear arms race in the most dangerous part of the planet.

This deal won't be a farewell to arms. It would be a farewell to arms control. And the Middle East would soon be crisscrossed by nuclear tripwires. A region where small skirmishes can trigger big wars would turn into a nuclear tinderbox. 

If anyone thinks -- if anyone thinks this deal kicks the can down the road, think again. When we get down that road, we'll face a much more dangerous Iran, a Middle East littered with nuclear bombs and a countdown to a potential nuclear nightmare.

Ladies and gentlemen, I've come here today to tell you we don't have to bet the security of the world on the hope that Iran will change for the better. We don't have to gamble with our future and with our children's future.

We can insist that restrictions on Iran's nuclear program not be lifted for as long as Iran continues its aggression in the region and in the world.

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Before lifting those restrictions, the world should demand that Iran do three things. First, stop its aggression against its neighbors in the Middle East. Second...

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Second, stop supporting terrorism around the world.

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And third, stop threatening to annihilate my country, Israel, the one and only Jewish state.

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Thank you.

If the world powers are not prepared to insist that Iran change its behavior before a deal is signed, at the very least they should insist that Iran change its behavior before a deal expires.

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If Iran changes its behavior, the restrictions would be lifted. If Iran doesn't change its behavior, the restrictions should not be lifted.

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If Iran wants to be treated like a normal country, let it act like a normal country.

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My friends, what about the argument that there's no alternative to this deal, that Iran's nuclear know-how cannot be erased, that its nuclear program is so advanced that the best we can do is delay the inevitable, which is essentially what the proposed deal seeks to do?

Well, nuclear know-how without nuclear infrastructure doesn't get you very much. A racecar driver without a car can't drive. A pilot without a plan can't fly. Without thousands of centrifuges, tons of enriched uranium or heavy water facilities, Iran can't make nuclear weapons.

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Iran's nuclear program can be rolled back well-beyond the current proposal by insisting on a better deal and keeping up the pressure on a very vulnerable regime, especially given the recent collapse in the price of oil.

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Now, if Iran threatens to walk away from the table -- and this often happens in a Persian bazaar -- call their bluff. They'll be back, because they need the deal a lot more than you do.

(APPLAUSE)

And by maintaining the pressure on Iran and on those who do business with Iran, you have the power to make them need it even more.

My friends, for over a year, we've been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well, this is a bad deal. It's a very bad deal. We're better off without it.

(APPLAUSE)

Now we're being told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. That's just not true. 

The alternative to this bad deal is a much better deal.

(APPLAUSE)

A better deal that doesn't leave Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure and such a short break-out time. A better deal that keeps the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in place until Iran's aggression ends. 

(APPLAUSE)

A better deal that won't give Iran an easy path to the bomb. A better deal that Israel and its neighbors may not like, but with which we could live, literally. And no country...

(APPLAUSE)

... no country has a greater stake -- no country has a greater stake than Israel in a good deal that peacefully removes this threat.

Ladies and gentlemen, history has placed us at a fateful crossroads. We must now choose between two paths. One path leads to a bad deal that will at best curtail Iran's nuclear ambitions for a while, but it will inexorably lead to a nuclear-armed Iran whose unbridled aggression will inevitably lead to war. 

The second path, however difficult, could lead to a much better deal, that would prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, a nuclearized Middle East and the horrific consequences of both to all of humanity.

You don't have to read Robert Frost to know. You have to live life to know that the difficult path is usually the one less traveled, but it will make all the difference for the future of my country, the security of the Middle East and the peace of the world, the peace, we all desire. 

(APPLAUSE) 

My friend, standing up to Iran is not easy. Standing up to dark and murderous regimes never is. With us today is Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel. 

(APPLAUSE) 

Elie, your life and work inspires to give meaning to the words, "never again."

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And I wish I could promise you, Elie, that the lessons of history have been learned. I can only urge the leaders of the world not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

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Not to sacrifice the future for the present; not to ignore aggression in the hopes of gaining an illusory peace. 

But I can guarantee you this, the days when the Jewish people remained passive in the face of genocidal enemies, those days are over.

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We are no longer scattered among the nations, powerless to defend ourselves. We restored our sovereignty in our ancient home. And the soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish people, can defend ourselves.

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This is why -- this is why, as a prime minister of Israel, I can promise you one more thing: Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand.

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But I know that Israel does not stand alone. I know that America stands with Israel.

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I know that you stand with Israel.

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You stand with Israel, because you know that the story of Israel is not only the story of the Jewish people but of the human spirit that refuses again and again to succumb to history's horrors.

(APPLAUSE)

Facing me right up there in the gallery, overlooking all of us in this (inaudible) chamber is the image of Moses. Moses led our people from slavery to the gates of the Promised Land.

And before the people of Israel entered the land of Israel, Moses gave us a message that has steeled our resolve for thousands of years. I leave you with his message today, (SPEAKING IN HEBREW), "Be strong and resolute, neither fear nor dread them."

My friends, may Israel and America always stand together, strong and resolute. May we neither fear nor dread the challenges ahead. May we face the future with confidence, strength and hope.

May God bless the state of Israel and may God bless the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you all. 

You're wonderful. 

Thank you, America. Thank you.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/03/03/full-text-netanyahus-address-to-congress/

God bless Israel

God bless Nigeria.

May God deliver us from all Corruptly Enriched Playboy Leaders and give us Resolute Leaders with Honesty of Purpose and Commitment.

The osogbo muhadunce jihad brigade alongside their boko cousins up north will soon litter this thread with croc tears for palestinian children that their cowardice hamas use as human shields

Mr Nethanyahu. You can't Bleep off to hell. We Israel to be the most racist country in the world. Up till this day and age, you still kill, maim destroy the land and people of Palestine. Israel has a country have over 20 nuclear warheads, so isn't it hypocritical for you to have nuclear war heads and not want Iran to have too? There's nothing you nor the US can do about Iran developing a nuclear bomb. To earlier you deal with that, the better for you

EdCure:
God bless Israel

God bless Nigeria.

Forever! Amen!

Randerl:
May God deliver us from all Corruptly Enriched Playboy Leaders and give us Resolute Leaders with Honesty of Purpose and Commitment.

As I read through this speach, I saw nothing but a leader with genuine love for his country. He knows what his country stands for, who its enemies are, and what concrete steps to take to pre-empt them.
If this is not the definition of leadership, I wonder what is.

You just got to love this man courage. Long live the State of Israel.. Netanyahu is a Hero

I watched it live. God bless Israel. God bless Biafra

ololo12:
Mr Nethanyahu. You can't Bleep off to hell. We Israel to be the most racist country in the world. Up till this day and age, you still kill, maim destroy the land and people of Palestine. Israel has a country have over 20 nuclear warheads, so isn't it hypocritical for you to have nuclear war heads and not want Iran to have too? There's nothing you nor the US can do about Iran developing a nuclear bomb. To earlier you deal with that, the better for you

I talk am

The jihad brigade has arrived

EdCure:

As I read through this speach, I saw nothing but a leader with genuine love for his country. He knows what his country stands for, who its enemies are, and what concrete steps to take to pre-empt them.
If this is not the definition of leadership, I wonder what is.

The Doctrine of Preemptive Attack was established by the Leadership of Israel. You don't trample on the Citizens Israel.

ololo12:
Mr Nethanyahu. You can't Bleep off to hell. We Israel to be the most racist country in the world. Up till this day and age, you still kill, maim destroy the land and people of Palestine. Israel has a country have over 20 nuclear warheads, so isn't it hypocritical for you to have nuclear war heads and not want Iran to have too? There's nothing you nor the US can do about Iran developing a nuclear bomb. To earlier you deal with that, the better for you

Iran may have the right to nuclear weapons, but it leave no one under any illusion that such ventures are for peaceful purpose, defence or deterrence.
Iran is on record for threatening to wipe Israel off the world map. I am very certain that this is the sole aim of its nuclear programme.

Your claim to a right becomes invalid when it poses a direct threat to the safety of others.

Even if the whole world gang up against isreal,...isreal will still stand tall

Mr, don't buy into all those B.S right wing Zionist group and media. Iran is not a threat or will go out of their to attack Isreal, why would they? Whose the aggressor here? Isn't it Isreal. In the past decade Isreal has attacked Iran nuclear facility with the aid of America. It was only after then, Iran got furious with Isreal and started threatening. They only did so as a way of detering Isreal from attacking them.

EdCure:

Iran may have the right to nuclear weapons, but it leave no one under any illusion that such ventures are for peaceful purpose, defence or deterrence.
Iran is on record for threatening to wipe Israel off the world map. I am very certain that this is the sole aim of its nuclear programme.

Your claim to a right becomes invalid when it poses a direct threat to the safety of others.

for all ye attaching religion to isreal's survuval despite the odd......u know notin.

I don't response to dunderheads like you. Because you are bereft of gray matters, so to engage you will be a futile attempt. You Isreal/Zionist fan boy. Guess what Isreal hates black people and don't give rats about you. Now, you've heard the truth. Go kill yourself

RevDesmondJuju:

I talk am

The jihad brigade has arrived

I couldn't help but applaud the oratory skills of Mr Benji all through the duration of his speech. My favorite line has to be when he said "Iran & ISIS competing for militant Islam crown in 'game of thrones" Lol seriously though, I think there are cracks appearing in the Israel/US camp, but one can never get anything from the body language of USA who seem to be playing good cop bad cop.
Benji is playing smart politics, he's trying to low ball the US into making a deal with Iran while Israel has the final say. Great chess move, if you ask me.

onyeomaonyeoma:
Even if the whole world gang up against isreal,...isreal will still stand tall

As much as I want to believe this, I don't think it is true.
Israel needs strong allies and the world need to contain those rogue countries ruled by rascal regimes.

ololo12:
Mr, don't buy into all those B.S right wing Zionist group and media. Iran is not a threat or will go out of their to attack Isreal, why would they? Whose the aggressor here? Isn't it Isreal. In the past decade Isreal has attacked Iran nuclear facility with the aid of America. It was only after then, Iran got furious with Isreal and started threatening. They only did so as a way of detering Isreal from attacking them.

My reservations about this Iranian nuclear armament is that it will trigger a nuclear arms race in the already volatile Middle-east. The hostile rhetorics from Iranian leaders is not helping matters either.
Iran is currently fighting a proxy war with Israel through Hamas and Hezbollah. This is a common knowledge which is not just fueled by "right wing Zionist group and media".

You may have your reasons for criticising Israel and Israeli relationship with black people (I won't dwell on that), but one thing you cannot deny is the fact that the Iranians do not care about you, either.

This is not a matter of religion, because even its neighbours, all core muslim countries, see the Iranian regime a their greatest threat.
Iran is trully not a normal country, my friend.

ololo12:
I don't response to dunderheads like you. Because you are bereft of gray matters, so to engage you will be a futile attempt. You Isreal/Zionist fan boy. Guess what Isreal hates black people and don't give rats about you. Now, you've heard the truth. Go kill yourself

Jihad boi keep venting your misplaced angst and swelling like a frog

Isreal will survive and defeat your arab slave masters

Say no to nukes!

EdCure:

As I read through this speach, I saw nothing but a leader with genuine love for his country. He knows what his country stands for, who its enemies are, and what concrete steps to take to pre-empt them.
If this is not the definition of leadership, I wonder what is.

True it is.

EdCure:

My reservations about this Iranian nuclear armament is that it will trigger a nuclear arms race in the already volatile Middle-east. The hostile rhetorics from Iranian leaders is not helping matters either.
Iran is currently fighting a proxy war with Israel through Hamas and Hezbollah. This is a common knowledge which is not just fueled by "right wing Zionist group and media".

You may have your reasons for criticising Israel and Israeli relationship with black people (I won't dwell on that), but one thing you cannot deny is the fact that the Iranians do not care about you, either.

This is not a matter of religion, because even its neighbours, all core muslim countries, see the Iranian regime a their greatest threat.
Iran is trully not a normal country, my friend.

Can you explain what you mean by Iran is not a normal country? and what is a core Muslim country exactly?

If Iran should drop their ambition of getting nukes, isnt it fair that Israel sign the NPT an give up their nukes as well? Since what is good for the goose should be good for the gander?

Why should Iran with their history be allowed to get nukes? To be candid it's only gonna spur on other middle eastern countries to push for their own weapons. That region is very unstable now.

Missy89:
Can you explain what you mean by Iran is not a normal country? and what is a core Muslim country exactly?

If Iran should drop their ambition of getting nukes, isnt it fair that Israel sign the NPT an give up their nukes as well? Since what is good for the goose should be good for the gander?

My point is, what normal country would have its leaders so resolute to wipe out another country, or even a race or religion from the face of the earth in today's world? Iranian leaders have consistently held on to this rhetoric in the most unequivocal manner.
Iran is just like North Korea where leaders do things that contravene international laws.
By core muslim countries, i was referring to those countries with overwhelming Muslim population (which all Iranian neighbours are). They are all opposed to Iran's nuclear program and military expansionism.
It is not just about Israel or religion, but about a particular country and its standoffish domestic and foreign policy.

[quote author=RevDesmondJuju post=31271070]The osogbo muhadunce jihad brigade alongside their boko cousins up north will soon litter this thread with croc tears for palestinian children that their cowardice hamas use as human Shields so those children deserve to die because the where used as shield?? Please be sensible

Missy89:


Can you explain what you mean by Iran is not a normal country? and what is a core Muslim country exactly?

If Iran should drop their ambition of getting nukes, isnt it fair that Israel sign the NPT an give up their nukes as well? Since what is good for the goose should be good for the gander?

It is not a matter of giving up nukes, it's a matter of been reasonable, Israel is bad country using God's name to purport violence against children and women selling drones that don't work to Nigeria I wander why Nigerians still support them but Iran is worst sponsoring boko haram in Nigeria (fact) arming hezborla (fact), swearing to wipe out Israel(fact). Those two country are responsible for killing over 5000 people last year...... if only God can wipe both of them off this planet I won't mind.