Netanyahu Ahead of Meeting with Trump: JCPOA Should Be Revoked or Amended

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, during his visit to Argentina, referred to reports regarding a shift in Tel Aviv's stance on the nuclear deal with Iran, the JCPOA, stating that his position has not changed and he wants the JCPOA to be 'revoked or amended.' According to Israeli media, Netanyahu made these remarks on Tuesday at a press conference alongside Mauricio Macri, the President of Argentina. Netanyahu stated: 'Regarding Iran, reports have been published suggesting that Israel's position on the JCPOA has changed.' The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized: 'Let me take this opportunity to clearly state my position. This is a bad agreement that must be revoked or amended.' Ahead of his trip to the United States and meeting with Donald Trump, the President of that country, Netanyahu reiterated his dissatisfaction with the JCPOA. Netanyahu's reference is to a report by Reuters in this regard. Meanwhile, an unnamed Israeli official stated that the Israeli government is concerned about the expiration of restrictions on Iran's nuclear program at the end of the agreement's timeframe. According to the Washington Post, this official emphasized in an interview with Israel Radio that Netanyahu will discuss changing this clause in the JCPOA with the U.S. President during their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly. The report adds that Israel's opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran is not new, but experts believe that Israel now believes there is a possibility of making changes to this agreement. Israel Katz, the Minister of Intelligence, also stated on Monday at an anti-terrorism conference in Herzliya that Netanyahu's 'most important' goal for his upcoming trip to the U.S. is 'to suspend the JCPOA, revoke it, or make comprehensive changes to its provisions.' Since the JCPOA was reached in July 2015 between Iran and world powers, Netanyahu has strongly criticized this nuclear agreement. The Israeli Prime Minister stated in September 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly that monitoring Iran's commitments under the JCPOA is his country's most important goal. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has repeatedly described this agreement as 'the worst deal he has ever seen.' On August 5, the Associated Press reported, citing senior U.S. officials, that Trump is seeking to discuss with European countries a new agreement that could prevent the development of Iran's nuclear program even after the expiration of the JCPOA. However, Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, emphasized in his latest report this week that Iran has adhered to its commitments under the JCPOA. In this context, Zarif: The Agency can visit locations with nuclear activity; the U.S. State Department spokesperson: We are still reviewing the nuclear agreement with Iran; the Israeli Minister of Intelligence: Iran is seeking a long-term agreement with Syria to establish a military base; Amano's report: The Agency does not differentiate between military and civilian sites in Iran; the French Foreign Minister: I am concerned about Trump's position on the nuclear agreement with Iran.