President Shimon Peres released a statement Sunday regarding the deal reached between Iran and P5+1 powers Saturday night.
Peres, unlike other Israeli government officials, did not reject the deal outright. He did express some reservations, however. "Last night a deal was signed between the P5+1 and Iran. This is an interim deal," Peres emphasized that "[t]he success or failure of the deal will be judged by results, not by words."
Peres then placed the responsibility for the deal's success not with the leadership - but with the people. "I would like to say to the Iranian people: You are not our enemies and we are not yours. There is a possibility to solve this issue diplomatically. It is in your hands. Reject terrorism. Stop the nuclear program. Stop the development of long-range missiles," he urged.
The President also related to the Prime Minister's stance, which supports the event of a military strike if the need arises. "Israel - like others in the international community - prefers a diplomatic solution. But I want to remind everyone of what President Obama said, and what I have personally heard from other leaders: the international community will not tolerate a nuclear Iran," Peres stated.
"If the diplomatic path fails, the nuclear option will be prevented by other means. The alternative is far worse."
Peres's comments follow a host of mixed reactions from Israeli leaders, ranging from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's sharp condemnation of the move - whereby he called the deal "a historic mistake" - to statements of neutrality or even approval.
Both Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman have confirmed that the Israeli response may still include a military strike on the Islamic republic.