According to a Western official who spoke to Reuters, the primary objective of the upcoming nuclear deal between the US and Iran is to prevent Israel from launching an attack on Iran. The official stated, “If [the] Iranians miscalculate, the potential for a strong Israeli response is something that we want to avoid.”
The Prime Minister’s Office declined to provide any comment on the matter.
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has consistently emphasized that Israel will not be bound by any agreement between the US and Iran when it comes to countering the threat of a nuclear Iran. He stated in the Knesset, “Our stance is clear: No agreement with Iran will oblige Israel. Israel will continue to do everything to defend itself.”
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein expressed the belief that Israel can tolerate the “mini-agreement” due to the presence of oversight. However, he also warned about Iran’s increasing nuclear capabilities and the need to closely monitor the situation.
The expected deal, negotiated between the US and Iran in recent weeks through Oman, is anticipated to consist of unwritten understandings. It would involve the US granting sanctions relief in exchange for Iran’s limitations on its nuclear program.
Under the deal, Iran would halt its uranium enrichment at 60% purity, which exceeds the limit set in the 2015 agreement but falls below the threshold required for a nuclear weapon (90% purity). The US cautioned Iran that it would face severe consequences if it pursues enrichment to 90%.
In addition, Iran would release American prisoners, cease the sale of ballistic missiles to Russia, and put an end to attacks by its proxies on US contractors in Syria and Iraq. The US, on its part, would waive around $20 billion in sanctions and refrain from imposing further sanctions or seeking resolutions against Iran in the UN Security Council or the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Biden administration has pursued informal understandings with Iran instead of a written agreement to bypass the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA), which requires the president to submit any deal related to Iran’s nuclear program to Congress, triggering a 30-day review period.
While the State Department spokesperson, Matt Miller, denied the existence of any deal with Iran, he affirmed the US’s objectives of de-escalating tensions, restraining Iran’s nuclear activities, discontinuing support for regional proxy groups, ending support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and releasing detained American citizens. Miller stated that diplomatic engagements continue to be employed to pursue these objectives.
An Iranian official acknowledged the intentions of both sides to prevent further escalation, whether referred to as a temporary deal, an interim deal, or a mutual understanding.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Iran and called for cooperation among regional countries to ensure the region remains free of weapons of mass destruction. Following talks with Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian, Prince Faisal expressed the Saudi king and crown prince’s anticipation of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accepting an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia soon.
In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a deal brokered by China to mend their diplomatic rift and reestablish relations, ending years of hostility that had jeopardized regional stability in the Gulf, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.
Amirabdollahian stressed the importance of security for regional countries and highlighted that Iran views security as a comprehensive concept encompassing political, cultural, social, economic, and trade aspects.
{Matzav.com}
Iran can do this I guess good. Israel might ever feel safe.
Iran has no nuclear anymore, thanks to President Trump.