Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat told his American counterpart Jake Sullivan in a secure video call two weeks ago that Israel thinks Iran’s nuclear program should be treated separately from its regional activity in future negotiations, two sources informed. in the call they told me.
Why it matters: While many critics of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran note that it has done nothing to curb Iran’s aggression in the region, Israel is concerned that linking the two issues will give American and European negotiators incentives to make concessions on the program’s limitations Iranian nuclear power.
The current situation: The Biden government says it will return the U.S. to the 2015 nuclear deal by lifting sanctions if Iran resumes obeying, reversing its recent nuclear steps.
- The main problem is the sequencing of these movements. The United States offered last week to open direct negotiations to resolve these issues, but Iran has not responded formally.
- Between the lines: Some in 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.
Driving the news: Ben-Shabbat told Sullivan in his February 11 phone call that there should be no attempt to balance Iran’s non-nuclear measures – restricting its presence in Syria, for example – with nuclear limitations like those in research and development of advanced centrifuges.
- Ben-Shabbat said Israel’s position is that Iran’s nuclear program is an existential threat and must be addressed first, and the least threat from Iran’s regional behavior must be addressed separately, say the sources.
- The Israeli national security adviser added that an Iran with nuclear weapons would not fulfill any regional commitments.
Worthless: Last month, there were many contacts about Iran between the Biden government and the Israeli government.
- Israeli officials have told me that they are generally satisfied with what they describe as the Biden government’s constructive approach and willingness to listen to Israel’s concerns.
- Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke to Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi three times – more than any other foreign colleague. Blinken also discussed Iran with Yossi Cohen, director of the Mossad intelligence agency.
The most recently: On Wednesday, I reported that Israel and the United States have agreed to reconvene a strategic working group on Iran, with the first round of intelligence negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program scheduled for the next few days.