President Obama vowed to maintain pressure on Iran Tuesday but warned against talk of war-slamming his political rivals for their "bluster" and gently asking Israel for patience.
Obama touted strong relationship of the United States with Israel and has sworn that the two countries should deal with the looming showdown with Iran.
However, the President also gently pushed back to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Monday night that "none of us can afford to wait longer" when comparing with the Iranian nuclear program.
Obama insisted that decisions need not be rushed in the next week or month — and suggested he delivered that message to Netanyahu, when they met at the White House.
"One of the functions of friends is make sure we provide honest advice and unvarnished," Obama said.
He also defended the steps his Administration has taken to force the hand of Tehran, including a series of radical measures against rogue nation.
Obama has insisted that there is a "window of opportunity" to find a diplomatic solution and urges Israel to bring international pressure on building in Iran.
Obama's relationship with Netanyahu, who has appeared on Capitol Hill, as the President spoke to the press, has been the subject of speculation since their encounter a little chilly in November. But Obama stressed Tuesday that there is an "indissoluble bond" between the two Nations.
The President pulled out a speech much harder for Republicans running for his work-berating them for what he suggested was confident rhetoric on the war.
"Now, what is said on the campaign trail-those people don't have a lot of responsibility," said Obama, who has scheduled his first press conference of the year in order to steal some of the spotlight of Super Tuesday Republican.
"Not the Commander in Chief." he said. "And when I see the ease with which some of these guys talking about war, remembered the costs involved in the war."
Obama, though he never mentioned Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum by name, apparently seethed when discussed candidates "bluster" when it comes to Iran.
"This is not a game-there is nothing random about it," he said. "[The candidates] should explain to the American people exactly why I would do that and what would be the consequences. Everything else is just talk. "
The trio of White House GOP hopefuls all criticized Obama on Tuesday when they have spoken for the Group of pro-Israel lobby, dubbed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
"Hope is not a foreign policy," said Romney, who appeared via satellite. "The only thing respected by thugs and tyrants is our determination".
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