Israel to Sanction Energy Companies Collaborating with Iran

Israel has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the implementation of the JCPOA, the final nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, announcing Israeli sanctions against global energy companies that cooperate with Iran. This comes as a significant portion of the decade-long sanctions against Iran were lifted on Sunday, January 17, following the implementation of the JCPOA. Israel's announcement coincides with global energy companies showing great eagerness to renew cooperation with Iran, with major firms like Shell and Total reportedly sending large delegations to Tehran immediately. According to Israel's Channel One news on the evening of January 17, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has told international energy companies that they must choose between cooperation with Iran or Israel. The report states that Israel has specifically warned Western companies in the oil and gas sector to choose between operations in Israel or Iran. The Israeli television network added that one of Netanyahu's government's concerns is that companies operating in both Iran and Israel might transfer information related to Israel's energy sector to Iran. The report indicates that the Israeli government's directives will be communicated to international companies in the near future. Israel has only recently begun to exploit its gas fields, with the Tamar field, the first discovered gas field in the country, not yet reaching the export stage. Meanwhile, two other Israeli companies involved in gas exploration announced on January 17 the potential discovery of another large gas field in the Mediterranean Sea. The report from Israel's Channel One also assessed that international companies are likely to prefer extensive and profitable cooperation with Iran over limited and troublesome collaborations with Israel. However, Israeli government officials have told the network that the country will continue its efforts to dissuade international companies from cooperating with Iran. On Sunday, Netanyahu expressed deep dissatisfaction with the implementation of the JCPOA during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, claiming that 'Iran has not abandoned its desire to build a nuclear bomb.' According to Netanyahu, if Israel had not pursued global efforts against Iran, 'Iran would have had access to a nuclear bomb long ago.' Israeli media reported that Netanyahu urged world powers not to withdraw their oversight of Iran, stating that Israel will closely monitor any potential violations of Iran's international commitments and will 'expose' them to the world. Despite the failure of years of policies against negotiations between world powers and Iran, on the first day of the JCPOA's conclusion, Netanyahu and his government once again warned the international community that Iran 'remains a major supporter of terrorism in the region and the world and will use the freed-up funds for this purpose.' Israeli Minister Gilad Erdan called the implementation of the JCPOA 'a hard day for the countries in the region.' Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, also expressed dissatisfaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency's report on Iran's full compliance with its commitments, claiming that the report was 'optimistic' and 'blinds the world to Iran's nuclear actions.' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on Sunday at a press conference and in the Iranian Parliament that Zionists, American extremists, and regional fire-starters are unhappy with the implementation of the JCPOA and Iran's success. Meanwhile, while Netanyahu has described Iran's nuclear program as a vital threat to his country over the years, Tamir Pardo, the head of Mossad in his farewell speech, stated: 'There is no vital danger to Israel because this country is very strong.' Israeli radio reported that Pardo, nearing the end of his term as head of Mossad, has joined other former heads of Mossad and Israeli security and intelligence agencies who publicly oppose Netanyahu's assessments regarding an 'existential threat' from Iran to Israel.