Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday sent a clear message to the United States that Israel would not see itself bound by any agreement Washington might reach with Iran over its nuclear program.
Speaking at the start of a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the prime minister appeared to react to reports that Washington was in renewed contact with Iran regarding moribund nuclear deal talks.
Netanyahu said that over the years Iran had replaced the Arab nations as the principal threat to Israel.
Committee on June 13, 2023 (Haim Tzach/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday sent a clear message to the United States that Israel would not see itself bound by any agreement Washington might reach with Iran over its nuclear program.
Speaking at the start of a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the prime minister appeared to react to reports that Washington was in renewed contact with Iran regarding moribund nuclear deal talks.
Netanyahu said that over the years Iran had replaced the Arab nations as the principal threat to Israel.Into the Land: A Tale of Two CitiesPlayNext playlist itemUnmuteCurrent Time 0:13/Duration 20:53Loaded: 4.77% Picture-in-PictureFullscreen
“More than 90 percent of our security issues stem from Iran and her [proxies],” he said, comparing them to a spreading cancer. “Our position is clear: Israel will not be bound by any deal with Iran and will continue to defend itself.”
Netanyahu said Israel remained opposed to a return to the original 2015 nuclear deal, which the US pulled out of under former president Donald Trump.
“We are working to stop Iran and, on the other hand, we are making great efforts to expand the circle of peace. These things present us with great challenges, but also possibilities,” Netanyahu said.
Israel was not a party to the original nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which Netanyahu lobbied hard against. Efforts by Europe and US President Joe Biden’s administration to revive the agreement and bring Washington back into the pact have also been met with protests from Jerusalem.
Israel argues that diplomatic efforts fall short of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and instead advocates a credible military threat.
Netanyahu’s comments came after a US official confirmed late Monday that Washington was in contact with Iran regarding the moribund nuclear deal talks, but denied that discussions on an interim agreement were taking place.
The comments, reported by Reuters, came hours after Iran appeared to acknowledge that talks were taking place, with the country’s Foreign Ministry thanking Oman for its role as mediator.
