IranObama will use tough language on Iran in today’s UN speech, but no “red lines”

President Barack Obama, in his speech later today to the general assembly of the UN, will use harsher language to denounce Iran for its nuclear weapons program, its support of terrorism, its pledge to annihilate Israel, a fellow UN member state, and its general destabilizing role in the Middle East.

Obama will also repeat the U.S. commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but will stop short of announcing clear red lines which, if Iran crossed them, would trigger a U.S. military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been agitating for the U.S. to announce such red lines, and publically criticized the Obama administration for refusing to do so. The administration insists that such rigid lines would restrict the U.S. freedom of maneuver and that, in any event, they are unnecessary since the phrase “preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons” is sufficiently explicit.

The administration has not concealed its displeasure with Netanyahu’s unprecedented public criticism of the U.S. government, and criticism in Israel of Netanyahu’s blunt language has been even harsher.

In a Sunday “60 Minutes” interview, Obama said he understands and agrees with Netanyahu’s insistence that Iran not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons as this would threaten both countries, the world in general, and kick off an arms race. He then added, however, that “When it comes to our national security decisions — any pressure that I feel is simply to do what’s right for the American people. And I am going to block out — any noise that’s out there.”

Obama went on to say: “Now I feel an obligation — not pressure but obligation — to make sure that we’re in close consultation with the Israelis on these issues because it affects them deeply.”