Barack Obama says chances of nuke agreement with Iran 50/50, diplomacy best way

President Barack Obama has said diplomacy is the best way to solve Iran’s nuclear programme as striking a nuke agreement has only partial chances of success.

The comments from Obama came as he said the chances for a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran are 50/50 or worse, but still defended diplomacy as the best way to prevent Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons.

According to the Huffington Post, during a question-and-answer session with a pro-Israel audience, Obama said he was aware about the odds for a successful final agreement between world powers and Iran next year, building on the recent six-month interim deal.

The comment from Obama nevertheless pointed to the difficult talks that are about to begin as the U.S. and its negotiating partners, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, work towards a final pact next year, the report said.

The aim of the meeting would be to eliminate the possibility of Iran assembling a nuclear arsenal.

Obama's appearance at the Brookings Institution forum appeared directed as much at an Israeli audience as an American one, the report added.