Netanyahu: I Will Discuss the Cancellation of the JCPOA and Available Options with Trump

The Israeli Prime Minister stated in an interview with CBS News that he will discuss the cancellation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers with Donald Trump, the incoming President of the United States. Benjamin Netanyahu said, "There are various options" in this regard. In the interview on '60 Minutes', aired on December 12, he responded to a question about what would happen after a possible cancellation of the JCPOA, saying, "The options available are much more than you think" and "I will discuss this with Trump." Leslie Stahl, the program's host, asked about the lack of participation from other parties to the nuclear agreement in the post-JCPOA era and their non-participation in enforcing potential sanctions. Netanyahu reiterated that there are "many ways" and "options" to nullify the JCPOA. He mentioned, "I have five things in mind," but did not provide further details, adding that he first intends to discuss them with Donald Trump. The Israeli Prime Minister has been one of the most prominent critics and opponents of the nuclear negotiations with Iran and the resulting agreement. In his recent interview, he did not hide his disagreements on this matter with Barack Obama, the current President of the United States. On the other hand, the Obama administration has always supported the nuclear agreement. However, Donald Trump had stated during his election campaign that canceling the JCPOA was one of his plans if he won. Trump's victory led several parties involved in the negotiations with Iran, including the European Union, which has now lifted sanctions against Tehran, to warn about the unilateral cancellation of the nuclear agreement. Netanyahu also stated in his recent interview that, in his view, Iran "did not rush to acquire a nuclear bomb before the nuclear agreement because it feared the related punishments." He further noted that the only good aspect of the nuclear agreement was that it "brought Arab countries and Israel closer together." Netanyahu referred to those neighboring countries of Iran that have expressed their dissatisfaction with the agreements formed. Saudi Arabia is considered the most important of these countries; the tumultuous relations between Tehran and Riyadh are currently facing a severe crisis. Netanyahu said, "There is an old saying that says the enemy of my enemy is my friend." According to the Israeli Prime Minister, he has not even attempted to achieve a "union" with Saudi Arabia against Iran: "We did not need to do this. This [union] formed itself there." On the other hand, the issue of Russia and Moscow's potential approach in discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister has been raised. Russia and Iran, according to officials from both sides, have strategic relations. They are also two main allies in one of the worst recent conflicts, namely the Syrian civil war, and have directly intervened in support of Bashar al-Assad, the President of that country. Netanyahu said, "The moment Mr. Putin decided to intervene militarily in Syria, I went to him and said: This is what I am doing. I am not intervening in Syria, but if Syria wants to attack us, if Iran wants to use Syria to attack us, then we will stop it." In recent years, various reports have emerged about Israeli airstrikes on positions in Syria. Some of these attacks have targeted equipment sent for Hezbollah in Lebanon or equipment that this group has attempted to transport to Lebanon. Netanyahu stated that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, also agreed with his statements regarding efforts to prevent such potential conflicts, and as a result, the two sides engaged in military cooperation and interactions because "no one wants an accidental conflict between Israel and Russia."