Obama 'Reaffirms' Commitment To Two-State Solution In Phone Call With Bibi Netanyahu

President Barack Obama told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States is committed to a two-state solution during a phone call to congratulate Netanyahu after his party's victory in the Israeli elections.

According to a White House readout of the call, Obama "reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing commitment to a two-state solution that results in a secure Israel alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine."

Obama's comments came after Netanyahu said in the days before the Israeli elections that there would not be a two-state solution as long as he is prime minister. On Thursday, Netanyahu began walking back that claim, telling NBC News that he wants a "sustainable two-state solution."

The White House also said that Obama spoke to Netanyahu about a potential nuclear deal with Iran, another point of tension between the United States and Israel. In a speech to Congress earlier this month, Netanyahu said he opposes any deal that leaves Iranian nuclear structures in place, while the Obama administration has expressed a willingness to let Iran retain some of its nuclear capabilities.

The White House said Obama told Netanyahu that "the United States is focused on reaching a comprehensive deal with Iran that prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and verifiably assures the international community of the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program."