Israeli ambassador makes Iran pitch

Israel’s new ambassador to the U.S. met with more than two dozen House members of both parties Wednesday evening. The move was part of a diplomatic offensive to convey his country’s deep concerns about Iran talks without further straining ties with the Obama administration.

Ambassador Ron Dermer, a confidante of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assured lawmakers that Israel wants a peaceful solution to the showdown with Iran as much as anyone, according to several lawmakers. He told them that the Obama administration had been fully supportive of Israel, downplaying reports of a growing rift, and did not lobby them for specific action.

{mosads}“The case the ambassador was making was to underscore that talks are good, and Israel is in no way objecting to the negotiations,” said Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.). “But they want to ensure that the United States uses all of the leverage possible to get the best possible outcome.”

Attendees said Dermer told them the United States should maintain a strong position in the ongoing negotiations and reiterated Netanyahu’s support for the sanctions that cleared the House 400-20 in July. But when Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), one of the most conservative Republicans, asked what Congress should do to help Israel, Dermer demurred.

“He was careful not to be specific on that,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a senior member of the House Intelligence panel, who agrees with the administration that the Senate should sit on the House sanctions bill while negotiations are ongoing. Schiff said he found it “helpful to flush the issues out more.”

Dermer also defended the Obama administration amid criticism from some Republicans in the room. One attendee said he told them Obama has been “100 percent” supportive during last year’s conflict in Gaza.

“He also clarified that they never felt misled by the administration” regarding negotiations with Iran, despite recent reports to the contrary, said Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.). “He was clear about that.”

Dermer declined to answer media questions before presenting his credentials to President Obama.

The administration, meanwhile, kept up its own effort Wednesday to woo lawmakers. 

Vice President Biden met with 12 Democratic senators at the White House to reiterate the administration’s support for a six-month deal that would loosen sanctions in exchange for Iran freezing the most advanced aspects of its nuclear program, as the parties work on a comprehensive deal. He also urged the Senate to postpone passing tough new sanctions on Iran’s energy sector mirroring those that cleared the House.

“The concessions Iran would make as part of a first step would also provide us with intrusive monitoring of its nuclear program,” the White House said in a read-out of the meeting. “Taken together, these measures would prevent Iran from using the cover of negotiations to continue advancing its nuclear program as we negotiate a long-term, comprehensive solution that addresses all of the international community’s concerns.”

The meeting was attended by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Ben Cardin (Md.), Tom Carper (Del.), Bob Casey Jr. (Pa.), Al Franken (Minn.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.).

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