Netanyahu: Israel Opposes 'Limited Understandings' on Iran's Nuclear Program

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program that he opposes 'limited understandings' about this program or what he calls 'smaller-scale agreements' as they are 'not in our interests.' Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu added that Israel has repeatedly informed American officials of its opposition to agreements with the Islamic Republic, including the JCPOA, which he claims paves the way for Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb and provides hundreds of millions of dollars to the Islamic Republic. According to him, a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic does not prevent 'this regime' from obtaining nuclear weapons. Netanyahu once again warned that Israel will do whatever is necessary to 'defend itself against Iranian aggression, whether regarding its nuclear program or its terrorist proxy groups.' Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, a senior Israeli lawmaker stated that if Iran and the United States reach some kind of understanding that 'includes strict oversight of Iran's nuclear program,' Israel could accept this understanding. Yuli Edelstein, head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said in an interview with Channel 12 that '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.' Netanyahu's latest remarks come as Reuters reported on Friday, citing a Western diplomat, that one of the main objectives of addressing Iran's nuclear file is to prevent Israel from potentially attacking the country. This Western official emphasized that 'if the Iranians make a miscalculation, the likelihood of a severe Israeli response is something we want to avoid.' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously dismissed reports of a 'U.S.-Islamic Republic agreement to limit the Islamic Republic's nuclear program' in exchange for the release of detained American hostages as 'incorrect.' According to Voice of America, Blinken stated that the report regarding an agreement to limit the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and the release of American citizens is 'incorrect.' Nevertheless, he confirmed indirect negotiations with the Islamic Republic through Oman, covering nuclear issues, U.S. sanctions, and detained Americans. Blinken said in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh that Washington's current focus is not on the JCPOA. He noted that the Biden administration has sought mutual return to the JCPOA from day one, with significant efforts from Washington's European partners, as well as Russia and China in this regard. However, Iran either could not or did not want to take the necessary actions to return to its JCPOA commitments. Blinken added, 'Diplomacy remains the best way to ensure a sustainable, verifiable, and effective means to prevent Iran from 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. On the other hand, a White House official on Friday, in a written interview with the Persian section of Voice of America, called on the Islamic Republic to 'take steps to de-escalate.' This official stated, 'We ask Iran to take steps to de-escalate, which includes actions to curb its nuclear program. We ask Iran to stop its destabilizing actions in the region, including its support for proxy groups that carry out attacks. We ask Iran to stop its support for Russia's war against Ukraine.' Additionally, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, said in a press briefing that 'a nuclear agreement, whether temporary or not, is misleading and incorrect.' Miller emphasized that the main goal of U.S. policy is to ensure that the Islamic Republic never acquires nuclear weapons. He added that diplomacy is seen as the preferred way to achieve this goal, but the U.S. is prepared for all options and contingencies.