President Obama says the U.S. government has a “very good estimate” of how far along Iran is in its effort toward building a nuclear weapon, but he warned that aspects of the Iranian regime remain a puzzle.
“Do we know all of the dynamics inside of Iran? Absolutely not,” Obama said in an interview with NBC’s Today show that aired Monday. “Iran itself is a lot more divided now than it was. Knowing who is making decisions at any given time inside of Iran is tough.”
In the interview that was taped a day earlier, Obama said he preferred a diplomatic solution, but also made clear that the United States is in lockstep with Israel, which has grown impatient and is reportedly considering a military strike against Iran to stop the purported nuclear program.
Obama, who has had a strained relationship with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says the U.S. and Israel “have closer military and intelligence consultation … than we ever have had.” He wouldn’t say if Israel has agreed to forewarn the White House if it ultimately decides to strike against Iran.
The president is still hopeful that the standoff can be solved by diplomatic means, but he said that the U.S. has done extensive planning on a range of options.
“We are prepared to exercise these options should they arise,” Obama said.