U.S. President Barack Obama sees a nuclear deal being negotiated with Iran as a key part of his legacy, stressing in an interview with Atlantic magazine on May 21 that his reputation is on the line should Iran acquire a nuclear weapon.
"Look, 20 years from now, I'm still going to be around, God willing. If Iran has a nuclear weapon, it's my name on this," Obama said.
"I think it's fair to say that in addition to our profound national-security interests, I have a personal interest in locking this down."
Iran and six world powers have agreed to limit Iran's nuclear program, and are now hammering out details of the deal under a June 30 deadline.
Critics say the president is so determined to burnish his legacy that he will accept a less-than-ironclad commitment from Iran.
Iran's supreme leader, for example, recently ruled out inspections of military sites by a nuclear watchdog, though they are needed to ensure the deal is enforced.
