Top political and security leaders discuss policy formulation regarding US return to nuclear deal • Senior Israeli: "Tehran's excessive demands are good for us" • Blinken: "We want to strengthen the nuclear agreement" • Khamenei: "Zionist clowns will not stop us"
Yesterday (Monday), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a crucial discussion to shape Israel's policy in the face of the US intention to return to the nuclear agreement between it and Iran.
Blinken: "We will strengthen the nuclear agreement with Iran" // Photo: Reuters
The entire political and security leadership participated in the discussion: Defense Minister Bnei Gantz, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, National Security Council chief Meir Ben Shabbat, Defense Ministry director general Amir Eshel, Israel's ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, Gilad Ardan. The sensitive discussion took place in a confidential video call when some of the participants arrived at the Tel Aviv campus and others at the prime minister's office.
Israel strongly opposes the US intention to return to the nuclear deal, and is convinced that only pushing the regime into existential danger will lead it to give up its nuclear ambitions. However, the US believes that diplomatic dialogue with Iran will lead to better results.
Against this background, the prevailing assessment is that the move cannot be prevented.
Israel hopes that Iran's rigid line, as well as the changes on the ground since the nuclear deal was signed in 2015, will frustrate the return of the nuclear deal.
"Just as Abbas is the one who saved Israel by refusing dangerous concessions in Judea and Samaria, so perhaps Iran's excessive demands for compensation from the United States will prevent agreements between the parties and the harsh sanctions will remain in force," said an Israeli source.
Subservience of the administration
Even yesterday, the Biden administration continued to bow to the ayatollahs' regime.
At a meeting of the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Commission, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said: "We are interested in extending and strengthening the nuclear agreement with Iran." It is the best path to achieve that goal. "
On the other hand, the French Foreign Ministry last night issued a statement saying that EU foreign ministers believe the current state of the nuclear program is worrying.
Despite the conciliatory messages from both Washington and the International Atomic Energy Agency in recent days, Tehran continues on its hawkish line.
"If the Islamic Republic decides to acquire nuclear weapons, then neither the Zionist clowns nor anyone else will be able to stop us," said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
He said, "What stops us on this issue are only our Islamic values."
He added: "We are able to raise the uranium enrichment rate to 60 percent."
In response to Khamenei's threats, the White House said that "Khamenei's threats to raise the uranium enrichment rate will not change our attitude toward Iran."
Participated in the preparation of the article: Neta Bar