Israel Considers Donald Trump's Agreement with Europe on Iran Likely

Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that a new agreement between the U.S. and European countries regarding Iran's nuclear programs might deter Donald Trump from withdrawing from the existing nuclear deal between global powers and Iran. In a radio interview, Katz did not specify whether Israel, which seeks to 'correct or cancel' the nuclear deal with Iran, supports a separate agreement proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. Katz stated, 'President Trump's inclination is not to extend the terms of the agreement and to return to the path of sanctions against Iran unless a European-backed proposal is presented to him as an alternative agreement between the U.S. and Europe.' He added, 'This would include complementary measures that would address the serious risks of the 2015 agreement, which he considers a bad deal.' As the deadline approaches for renewing the suspension of sanctions against Iran or reinstating them on May 12, Emmanuel Macron discussed a 'new agreement' with Donald Trump during his official visit to the U.S. on Tuesday, under which the U.S. and European countries would address concerns beyond Iran's nuclear activities. Macron is leveraging this official visit to preserve the nuclear deal with Iran, which many in the West view as the best hope for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and starting a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. According to Macron's proposed plan, the U.S. and European countries would agree to prevent any nuclear activity by Iran until 2025, address its ballistic missile programs, and create conditions to contain Iran's actions in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. Reuters reminds that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has specifically called for the cancellation of the sunset clause in the nuclear deal, which lifts restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities after ten years (2025). Katz remarked that the West signed the 2015 nuclear deal 'too soon' and should have continued severe economic sanctions against Iran, which were lifted in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities. The Israeli Intelligence Minister added, 'The French president and his European counterparts must understand that applying severe pressure on Iran now can prevent violence and possibly war in the future.' It is unclear whether Emmanuel Macron has succeeded in convincing Donald Trump to maintain the nuclear deal with Iran. On Tuesday, Trump emphasized that if Iran resumes its nuclear programs, it will face serious consequences. The Iranian government has stated that if the nuclear deal with the international community collapses, it will increase its nuclear activities.