In the wake of talks to renew the nuclear deal, the administration presents a different position than it did during the Obama era, when Washington tried to prevent Israel from taking action against Iran • This was stated at a meeting between President Jake Sullivan's National Security Adviser Ben Shabbat and Washington Arden Ambassador
US President Joe Biden
Photo:
Reuters
A surprising American backing for Israel's right to act against the Iranian threat.
Unlike President Obama, whose administration worked to prevent Israel from taking action against Iran, President Biden's senior officials "emphasized the president's unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself," the White House said in a statement.
The remarks were made yesterday at a meeting held by the President's National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, and other senior members of the administration, with their Israeli colleagues - the head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben Shabbat, the Israeli ambassador to Washington, Gilad Ardan, and the accompanying staffs. The Israelis clarified Israel's opposition to the return to the nuclear deal, pointing out the danger to Israel from Iran - both in terms of the nuclear program and in other respects - and saying that Israel would not be able to sit idly by in the face of the dangers. Israel to act against the threats, as stated in the official statement.
Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of Defense: "Iran is the biggest threat to the Middle East" // Photo: GPO
The meeting took place at the Israeli embassy building, and officials who were updated on the plans told "Israel Today" that the meeting was very positive.
Israeli officials have expressed Israel's strong opposition to the US intention to return to the nuclear deal with Iran.
They noted the serious flaws in the 2015 agreement and the lack of chance to reach a better agreement afterwards, although the administration has set it as a goal.
Alongside these disparities, the parties agreed that the dispute over Iran should not be allowed to affect other issues, including those related to Iran, on which there is agreement between the two countries.
Among other things, it was agreed to establish a working group that would discuss defense against precision missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles operated by Iran and the sponsors' organizations.
The American forces in Iraq are being attacked by these means and Israel is bothered by the armament of Hezbollah and other armed militias in them.
The two countries will now begin to examine common ways of coping, and the issue will be transferred to the professional levels.
The parties also discussed Iran's regional subversion, its presence in Syria and Hezbollah's activity in Lebanon.
Other issues raised at the meeting: the situation with the Palestinians, the threat posed by the Hague Tribunal (ICC), and the expansion of normalization agreements between Israel and the Arab states.
The meeting consisted of two parts.
At first, a meeting was held in a small forum in which the Israeli ambassador to Washington and the UN, Gilad Ardan, and the deputy head of the National Security Council, Reuven Ezer, took part.
On the American side, Rob Mali, the US nuclear commissioner for nuclear talks with Iran, Brett McGurk, the Middle East coordinator, and Barbara Leaf, head of the Middle East's division, attended the second and extended part of the meeting.
