Netanyahu in Meeting with Theresa May: The JCPOA Should Not Be Abrogated, but Its Flaws Must Be Addressed

The Israeli Prime Minister, in his latest remarks regarding the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) with six world powers, stated that his government does not necessarily want the agreement to be abrogated, but seeks cooperation from global powers to rectify its flaws. Benjamin Netanyahu made these statements on Thursday, November 2, during a meeting with his British counterpart, Theresa May, in London. Ms. May firmly emphasized before the cameras that the London government continues to support the JCPOA. However, according to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu said, "The goal I have set for myself is not to preserve or abrogate the JCPOA; rather, it is to improve the agreement and correct its flaws, and I believe that those who want this agreement to be preserved should cooperate in its reform." He added, "There is a complete consensus that we must confront Iran's aggression, terrorism, nuclear capabilities, and ballistic missile production capabilities." According to the report, at the end of the meeting with Ms. May, Netanyahu also stated to Israeli reporters that there has been a rapprochement between his country and Britain in finding ways to change the nuclear agreement with Iran. Netanyahu further mentioned that Israel particularly wants to reach understandings with global powers to increase oversight of nuclear sites and establish new sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister noted that it seems global powers are more prepared to correct the JCPOA. Netanyahu's remarks regarding the "correction of flaws" in the JCPOA come despite his insistence two months ago at the United Nations General Assembly that the JCPOA should either be abrogated or fundamentally changed. Israel, the staunchest opponent of Iran's nuclear program, has continuously criticized the JCPOA since its inception in July 2015, labeling it a "vital threat" and explicitly calling for its abrogation. However, this is the first time Netanyahu has spoken solely about improving and reforming the agreement during a meeting with a leader of one of the signatory countries. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump declined to certify the JCPOA, a move that was immediately welcomed by Netanyahu, who congratulated Trump for it. However, the British Prime Minister, like most European leaders, emphasized after Trump's speech that preserving the JCPOA is a necessity. Nevertheless, according to Haaretz, since last month, global powers have been paying attention to Israel's proposals to intensify pressure on Iran, outside the frameworks of the JCPOA. Haaretz noted that Netanyahu has recently held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and is expected to soon discuss proposals to intensify pressure on Iran with French President Emmanuel Macron. Israel's pressures for "correcting the flaws of the JCPOA" come at a time when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated in Tehran on Thursday that "destroying the JCPOA is the ultimate wickedness of America... and we should not yield to America." Netanyahu was invited to London on the occasion of November 2, which coincides with the hundredth anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, and met with Theresa May. During the meeting, May stated that Britain "takes pride" in the Balfour Declaration and its role in the establishment of a country for the Jews. She also emphasized that Britain is aware of the "sensitivities of the Palestinians" and supports a two-state solution, granting independence to a Palestinian state alongside Israel.