WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ominously warned Congress Tuesday that the US-led deal on Iran’s weapons program would be a surefire “countdown to a potential nuclear nightmare.’’
“That deal would not prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — it will guarantee it, lots of them,” the Israeli leader insisted in a powerful speech that brought many in the House chamber to their feet more than two dozen times.
If the pact goes through, the world had better prepare for a disaster of epic proportions — a “countdown to a potential nuclear nightmare,” Netanyahu said.
Iran would be a year away from being able to build a bomb even if it abided by the deal, he noted.
“This is a bad deal. It’s a very bad deal. We’re better off without it,” said the prime minister, who seemed as if he were delivering a presidential State of the Union aDdress — after being welcomed like a hero with a sustained standing ovation.
He made sure at one point to call President Obama a friend of Israel. But then — as if a teacher explaining a lesson to a child — he said Obama was foolish for playing with nuclear fire.
“Iran has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted,” Netanyahu said. “The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons.”
The prime minister added that it is especially foolhardy for the United States to think it can successfully negotiate with Iran because they share a common enemy: the terror group ISIS.
“In this deadly ‘Game of Thrones,’ there is no room for Israel or America. When it comes to Iran and ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is your enemy,’’ Netanyahu said, referring to the HBO drama.
The Israeli leader said his nation is prepared to go solo if it has to protect itself from Iran.
“Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand,” he vowed.
As Netanyahu spoke, Secretary of State John Kerry was holding a three-hour negotiating session with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Swiss resort of Montreux to try to finish an international framework agreement between the sides by later this month.
The administration has insisted that there is no deal yet, but Netanyahu said he knows what is being hammered out.
Obama, who didn’t attend the speech, dismissed Netanyahu’s comments as old news.
“As far as I can tell, there was nothing new” the president said at the White House.
“The prime minister didn’t offer any viable alternatives,’’ insisted Obama, who has refused to meet with the PM during his visit. “Even officials in Netanyahu’s government have acknowledged that Iran has lived up to its end of the interim deal.
“What I’m focused on right now is solving this problem. I’m not focused on the politics of it. I’m not focused on the theater of it. And my strong suggestion would be that members of Congress, as they evaluate it, stay similarly focused,” Obama added.
Netanyahu breached normal protocol by accepting House Speaker John Boehner’s invitation to speak without running it by the White House first.
Appearing calm and confident before a mostly friendly crowd — which was missing several dozen Democrats in protest — Netanyahu started out by saying, “I deeply regret that some perceive my being here as political. That was never my intention.’’
The harsh takedown of the US administration that followed drew, by one count, 25 standing ovations.
When Netanyahu said the world would be “better off” without the Iran deal, Republicans jumped to their feet and cheered; Democrats stayed in their seats.
Taking on a key Obama administration argument — that negotiations are preferable to the alternatives — Netanyahu said, “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.”
Netanyahu reached out to the under-30 crowd, which may not be following the ravings and rantings of Iran’s leader, by suggesting that they look him up on Twitter.
“Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei spews the oldest hatred — the oldest hatred of anti-Semitism with the newest technology,” Netanyahu said.
“He tweets that Israel must be annihilated. He tweets,” Netanyahu said in a tone of disbelief.
Khamenei’s Twitter account posted a step-by-step guide to the elimination of Israel last November.
In a dramatic flourish, Boehner presented the Israeli prime minister with a bust of Winston Churchill.
Behind Netanyahu on the rostrum were Boehner and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Vice President Joe Biden might ordinarily have been there but skipped the address — to travel to Central America.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the Senate would debate legislation next week that would allow a congressional vote on any deal reached with Iran. He said legislation for stiffer sanctions could also be considered.