Netanyahu Opposes 'Nuclear Deal' with Iran: Huge Funds Will Be Available to the Islamic Republic

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he reiterated his country's opposition to any nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic during a recent conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Netanyahu stated, "Returning to the nuclear deal with Iran does not stop Iran's nuclear program," but rather provides a significant amount of money to the Islamic Republic, which will be used to support terrorist groups opposing Israel. Israel considers the Islamic Republic of Iran its greatest enemy, recalling the Islamic Republic's slogans for the destruction of Israel and support for anti-Israeli militant groups throughout the region. For years, Israel has accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons and has repeatedly warned that if it perceives its existence and national interests to be at risk, it does not consider itself bound by any agreement between major powers and Iran. Netanyahu's recent remarks come as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated last Thursday in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh that Washington's current focus is not on the JCPOA. According to Blinken, the Biden administration has sought mutual return to the JCPOA from day one, and Washington's European partners, as well as Russia and China, have made significant efforts in this regard, but Iran either could not or did not want to take the necessary steps to return to its JCPOA commitments. The senior U.S. diplomat 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." Blinken reiterated warnings from U.S. officials, including Joe Biden, that all options to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons are on the table. Netanyahu warned, "No agreement with the Islamic Republic will be binding for Israel." Israel called for a full and joint investigation with Egypt regarding the border 'terrorist attack.' Netanyahu accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of 'capitulating' to Iran. Meetings between U.S. and Israeli officials at the White House are coordinated to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.