JERUSALEM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli prime minister vowed to "expose the truth" about Iran as he set off for a U.S. trip overnight Sunday, a day after U.S. and Iranian leaders contacted directly for the first time in more than 30 years.
In a statement, Benjamin Netanyahu said: "I will represent the citizens of Israel, our national interests ... our determination to defend ourselves and our hope for peace."
He claimed Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, was using the diplomatic approach as a tactic to "fool" the West while the Iranians continued to enrich uranium in its nuclear program.
"I will tell the truth in the face of the sweet-talk and onslaught of smiles. One must talk facts and must tell the truth .. . it is vital for the security and peace of the world and for the security of the State of Israel," he said.
The Israeli prime minister will meet U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday and speak at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Last week, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli delegation to boycott Rouhani's speech at the assembly, calling it "cynical" and "full of hypocrisy."
Last year, a main part of Netanyahu's address to the assembly was dedicated to a warning about a threshold the Iranians may cross on their way to creating nuclear weapons.
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【Video】Rouhani: Iran-US ties different from past
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【Video】Rouhani: Nuclear issues "symbol of development" in Iran
BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says in a television interview that he believes future talks between the US and Iran are "possible." Rouhani says since the two countries have had no relations for 35 years, to begin talks requires some preparation work.
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White House says Obama not disappointed Rouhani turned down bilateral meeting
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday that U.S. President Barack Obama is not disappointed that his Iranian counterpart turned down the offer to meet him at the United Nations.
"We should not over-interpret the fact that the Iranians decided against having an encounter," said Carney during a press briefing in New York, adding that the President remains open to the possibility of informal encounter with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. A transcript of Carney's remarks Wednesday was made available to Xinhua here. Full story
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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- A thaw in U.S.-Iran relations was met with cautious optimism on Tuesday after the presidents of the two countries sent out olive branches to each other.
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Iran seeks "constructive engagement" with other countries: Hassan Rouhani
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran seeks "constructive engagement" with other countries based on mutual respect and common interest, pledging never to develop nuclear weapons.
While addressing the UN General Assembly here for the first time as president, Rouhani said that Iran and other actors should pursue a political solution for the nuclear issue of Iran. Full story
Obama, Iran leader won't meet on the sidelines of UN: White House official
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will not meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, said a senior Obama administration official Tuesday.
The senior official told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that Washington is open to having discussion with the Iranians "at any level" but they did not have any plan for a formal bilateral meeting at the presidential level at the United Nations. Full story
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