Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat told US counterpart Jake Sullivan in a secure video call two weeks ago that Israel believes Iran’s nuclear program should be dealt with separately from its activity. regional in future negotiations, according to two sources informed about the call.
Why it’s important: While many critics of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal point out that it did nothing to curb Iran’s aggression in the region, Israel is concerned that linking the two issues will give incentives to northern negotiators. Americans and Europeans to commit to the limitations of the Iranian nuclear program.
The state of play: The Biden administration says it will return the United States to the 2015 nuclear deal by lifting sanctions if Iran recovers it by reversing its recent nuclear steps.
- The main point of adhesion is the sequencing of these movements. The US last week offered to open direct talks to resolve these issues, but Iran has not formally responded.
- Between lines: Some members of the Biden administration want to push for a broader and more lasting agreement now – with Iran’s regional behavior and its missile program on the table, but Biden’s stated goal is to restore the 2015 agreement and use it as a platform for future negotiations.
Leading the news: Ben-Shabbat told Sullivan in his Feb. 11 call that no attempt should be made to balance non-nuclear passages from Iran (e.g., curbing its presence in Syria) with nuclear limitations such as those of advanced centrifuge research and development.
- Ben-Shabbat said Israel’s position is that the Iranian nuclear program is an existential threat and should be addressed first, and that the slightest threat to Iran’s regional behavior should be addressed in a different way, according to the sources.
- The Israeli national security adviser added that an Iran with nuclear weapons would in no way fulfill any regional commitments.
It is necessary to emphasize: Over the past month, there have been many contacts about Iran between the Biden administration and the Israeli government.
- Israeli officials tell me they are generally satisfied with what they describe as the Biden administration’s constructive approach and its willingness to listen to Israel’s concerns.
- Secretary of State Tony Blinken has spoken three times with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi more than with any other foreign counterpart. Blinken also spoke about Iran with Yossi Cohen, the director of the Mossad intelligence agency.
The last: On Wednesday, I reported that Israel and the United States agreed to convene a strategic working group on Iran, with the first round of intelligence talks around the Iranian nuclear program expected in the coming days.