Israeli Strategic Minister: I Don't Believe the U.S. Will Abandon One of Its Closest Allies

Yuval Steinitz, Israel's Minister of Intelligence and Strategic Affairs, has traveled to France for what he calls 'preventing a bad nuclear deal between global powers and Iran.' Simultaneously, Moshe Ya'alon, Israel's Defense Minister, stated that 'not reaching an agreement with Iran is better than a bad agreement.' According to Reuters, Steinitz said during this trip: 'I do not believe that the United States will abandon one of its closest allies because we express our disagreements regarding the agreement with Iran, its closest and most democratic ally in the Middle East.' Steinitz arrived in Paris on Sunday night, April 2, representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is accompanied by Yossi Cohen, Israel's National Security Advisor, and several other Israeli officials. Steinitz mentioned in an interview with Israeli radio that he will present Israel's concerns regarding a potential agreement between the P5+1 countries and Iran during meetings with French and other European officials. He noted that it seems an agreement with Iran is nearing completion, which 'leaves many ways for Iran to evade its nuclear commitments.' While Steinitz is discussing 'greater strictness' regarding the potential agreement with French officials, the Paris government has emphasized the need for careful consideration and 'more precise limitations' in this agreement. Global media have reported disagreements between France and the U.S. regarding the agreement with Iran, stating that during a meeting in London on Saturday night among the foreign ministers of the U.S., France, Germany, and the UK, with the participation of the EU's foreign policy chief, Laurent Fabius, a 'hardline' stance was taken. A year and a half ago, as the signing of a temporary agreement between Iran and global powers was approaching, France adopted a tough stance, which was praised by Netanyahu. Some international media have reported that France is currently aligned with Israel in opposing the lifting of sanctions against Iran, even if a final nuclear agreement is reached, while the U.S. has indicated a green light for a phased lifting of sanctions. Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, emphasized on the first day of Farvardin that 'the lifting of sanctions must be part of the negotiations, not the result of them.' Meanwhile, according to Israeli media reports, Moshe Ya'alon stated on Sunday in Tel Aviv that his country believes that the failure of nuclear negotiations with Iran is 'better' than a bad agreement. Ya'alon told Israeli radio that the agreement being formulated leaves Iran as a country with military nuclear capabilities, which he called 'a real threat from Iran to Israel.' Israel is intensifying its efforts to prevent a nuclear agreement with Iran as a new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. and other global powers is set to continue on Wednesday, April 5, in Lausanne, Switzerland. The U.S., Britain, and Germany have stated that significant progress has been made in the latest round of negotiations with Iran. However, global powers have said it is now Iran's turn to make 'fundamental decisions.' John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated in recent days that efforts are focused on achieving a 'correct agreement that makes the world, including the U.S. and its allies, safer.' Barack Obama, the U.S. President, said on Saturday, April 1, to the American publication 'Huffington Post' that an agreement with Iran is achievable in the 'coming weeks,' but added that 'Iran must prove to the world that it is not seeking to build a nuclear weapon and that its commitments are verifiable.' However, Benjamin Netanyahu, who won the elections in his country last Tuesday and seems likely to retain the position of Prime Minister of Israel, has repeatedly warned about a 'bad agreement with Iran' and just days before the elections made a controversial appearance in the U.S. Congress, calling for Congress to align with Israel's views against a potential agreement with Iran. Israel has long viewed Iran's nuclear program as a threat at the level of 'existential threat' to itself, while Iran emphasizes that Israel itself is a military nuclear power and states that its nuclear program has peaceful objectives.