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Israel's Foreign Minister Jair Lapid with his US counterpart Antony Blinken at their meeting in Washington
Photo: POOL / REUTERS
Israel has again threatened Iran with clear words in the nuclear conflict. "We know that there are moments when nations have to use force to protect the world from evil," said Israeli Foreign Minister Jair Lapid on Wednesday in Washington at a meeting with his counterparts from the USA and the United Arab Emirates. Antony Blinken and Abdullah bin Sajid. "If a terror regime is about to get a nuclear weapon, we have to act and make it clear that the civilized world will not allow this," said Lapid. Israel reserves the right to act at any time and in any way. "That is not only our right, it is also our responsibility."
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran continues to violate the requirements of the 2015 Vienna Atomic Energy Agreement, which was supposed to prevent it from building an atomic bomb. Tehran states that its nuclear program is only for civil purposes. Israel and Iran are archenemies. Blinken emphasized that the diplomatic way is most effective in dealing with Iran. But they are ready to "consider other options" if Iran does not change course. They are working on a return to the nuclear deal, but "time is getting shorter and shorter".
US President Joe Biden had already said in the summer that the US would initially rely on diplomacy in relations with Iran. "But if diplomacy fails, we are ready to turn to other options." The Iranian Security Council interpreted this statement as an "illegal threat" and condemned it. Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in August: "It is time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds - otherwise the attacks will continue."
The negotiations on the rescue of the nuclear deal, which had been going on in Vienna since April, were interrupted after the presidential election in mid-June and the change of government in Iran.
The remaining partners in the deal are trying to get the US back on the deal.
At the same time, Iran should also comply with its requirements again.
The United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under the then President Donald Trump.
jso / dpa / AFP
