Crying 'wolf' for a reason

Well, it appears Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hasn't merely been crying "wolf, wolf" for no reason these past few years. The nuclear deal between Iran and the Western powers is closer than ever, and according to reports from Geneva on Monday following the Kerry-Zarif meeting, it looks as if the Americans have demonstrated quite a bit of flexibility at the negotiating table with the Iranians, who will keep 6,500 (!) centrifuges.

It has already been said that during the Obama era it is better to be an enemy of America, and apparently even more preferable to be an enemy who is also an ayatollah.

We apologize for being wrong: This isn't going to be a bad deal; it's going to be terrible. Why are readers of Israel Hayom not surprised? Because we were perhaps the only Israeli media outlet that spoke the truth the entire time, while others preferred to turn Iran into a political flashpoint and the U.S. president into someone trustworthy. They called Netanyahu a meddlesome pest, spoiling the Obama-produced Iran festivities. They said Israel Hayom was exaggerating with its Iran-related headlines; that we are simply drudging up f-e-a-r. What can be said then when reality proves that a wonderful deal for Iran is indeed on the table.

The Obama administration sees our disheveled Middle East a little differently than officials in Jerusalem: Where the prime minister of Israel sees an adversary (Iran), the Americans see a potential ally. In Jerusalem, Iran is the criminal; in Washington, Iran is the new sheriff in the Middle East who will instill order (like it did in Yemen-). Obama is prepared to ask the Persian cat to watch over the cream. Iran? Are we on candid camera-

So many questions still remain open: What will happen to the heavy water reactor at Arak, and what about the nuclear facility at Fordo? And will the International Atomic Energy Agency increase the number of its observers to account for the number of centrifuges staying in Iranian hands?

It can be assumed that on these issues, too, we will see some American dexterity, because Washington wants a deal just as much as Iran. Obama needs a legacy; Iran is seeking to become a nuclear threshold state. Both sides will get what they desire at a different time.

Henry Kissinger was indeed correct in saying that what began as an attempt to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, is ending with acceptance of that same program. Throughout history, the Persians have been blessed with the virtue of patience.

And patience pays off: In 2009, Obama arrived on the scene and renewed nuclear talks (which began in 2003 but had stalled). Which is why the diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program remind us of the old Persian idiom: "He tried to pluck an eyebrow, but blinded an eye."

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