Obama: Diplomacy Best Approach To Iran Nuke Crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the recent nuclear deal with Iran is the best strategy for preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Obama said Saturday at a Washington think tank forum that the deal prevents Iran from advancing its nuclear program for six months. He said that over that time, the world will test Iran to see if the crisis can be resolved diplomatically.

Obama said the agreement halts and rolls back central elements of Iran's program. It compels Iran to eliminate higher-enriched uranium stockpiles, stop adding new centrifuges and cease work at a heavy water reactor that potentially could produce plutonium.

The president also acknowledged some tactical differences with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Obama said U.S. and Israeli bottom-line goals are the same.