(VOVworld) - US President Barack Obama said Monday that Washington will pursue an agreement in principle of negotiations, not military solutions, in order to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In a statement that could offend Israel, President Obama said the best way to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon is a verifiable, tough agreement, not based on any hope but on facts and evidence and analysis.

He added that a military solution would not fix the problem. Even if the US participates, it would temporarily slow down an Iranian nuclear program but it will not eliminate it. When asked how he would respond if Israel were to act militarily without notifying him, Obama said he "won't speculate on that."