Israeli Lawmaker: We Can Accept 'Understanding' for Close Monitoring of Iran's Nuclear Program

A senior Israeli lawmaker stated that if Iran and the United States reach some form of understanding that includes 'close monitoring of Iran's nuclear program,' Israel could accept this understanding. Yuli Edelstein, head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Israeli Knesset, said in an interview with Channel 12 on Saturday, June 17, 'This is more like a small agreement or a memorandum of understanding, and I believe if there is real oversight, Israel can live with it.' The Israeli Prime Minister's Office refrained from commenting on whether Edelstein's remarks reflect the views of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu had stated on Sunday, June 11, that in his recent conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he reiterated his country's opposition to any nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic. He said, 'Returning to the nuclear agreement with Iran does not stop Iran's nuclear program' but rather provides a large sum of money to the Islamic Republic that will be used to support 'terrorist groups opposed to Israel.' Meanwhile, Antony Blinken described reports of a 'U.S.-Islamic Republic agreement to limit the Islamic Republic's nuclear program in exchange for the release of American hostages' as 'incorrect.' According to Voice of America, Blinken stated that the reports regarding an agreement to limit the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and the release of American citizens are 'incorrect.' However, he confirmed indirect negotiations with the Islamic Republic through Oman, covering nuclear issues, U.S. sanctions, and detained Americans. Blinken mentioned that Washington's current focus is not on the JCPOA. He stated that the Biden administration has been seeking mutual return to the JCPOA from day one, and Washington's European partners, as well as Russia and China, have made significant efforts in this regard. However, Iran either could not or did not want to take the necessary steps to return to its JCPOA commitments. Blinken added, 'Diplomacy remains the best way to ensure a sustainable, verifiable, and effective prevention of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, and the Biden administration continues to welcome diplomacy while being very determined to stand against Iran's dangerous and destabilizing actions.' He also reiterated warnings from U.S. officials, including Joe Biden, that all options to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons are on the table. Following the onset of popular protests in Iran, the U.S. has stated that reviving the JCPOA is not a priority for the Biden administration. Karine Jean-Pierre, White House spokesperson, responded on Wednesday, June 14, to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America regarding the Biden administration's statement that 'reviving the JCPOA is not currently a priority,' asking what the purpose of diplomatic exchanges between Tehran and Washington is. She said, 'Having open channels of communication is important.' The Islamic Republic claims that uranium enrichment is conducted for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. has repeatedly emphasized that the Islamic Republic's action of producing uranium enriched to 60% 'has no credible peaceful purpose, and no other country in the world today uses uranium enriched to 60% for the purposes that the Islamic Republic claims.' Iran's nuclear program has been criticized by several other countries, including Germany, France, the UK, and Israel. This article is based on a Reuters report.