US national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on the phone on Saturday with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben Shabbat, Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: This is the first contact between the Biden White House and the Israeli prime minister’s office. During the transition, the Biden team refrained from speaking to foreign governments.
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Driving the news: Israeli officials said the call was made primarily as an introduction and to initiate dialogue. They added that one of the issues discussed was Iran.
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In the past few days, Sullivan has made calls to his colleagues in the UK, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
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The White House did not comment on the call with the Israeli national security adviser.
The big picture: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned about President Biden’s stated goal of trying to resume the nuclear deal with Iran. Such a move could result in tensions between the Biden government and the Israeli government.
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Designated Secretary of State Tony Blinken said at his confirmation hearing this week that “there is a long way” until the deal with Iran is resumed.
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He stressed that the United States will consult Israel and the Gulf States before making any decisions.
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