Senior U.S. Diplomat Discusses Iran's 'Destabilizing Behaviors' with Israeli Officials

Barbara Leaf, head of the Near Eastern Affairs section of the U.S. State Department, traveled to Israel on Saturday, June 17, to meet with senior political and military officials. According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, during her six-day visit and meetings with Israeli officials, she will discuss issues such as the expansion and deepening of Israel's integration in the Middle East and countering the destabilizing behaviors of the Islamic Republic. Barbara Leaf will also meet with Palestinian officials in Ramallah to discuss U.S. efforts to support Palestinians. Meetings with members of Israeli and Palestinian civil society are also on her agenda. She will remain in Israel and the West Bank until next Saturday before heading to Jordan for a brief visit. This visit by the senior U.S. diplomat coincides with the release of some unconfirmed reports about a potential understanding between Washington and Tehran regarding a range of contentious issues. In this context, the Israeli Prime Minister stated on Sunday that he opposes 'more limited understandings' regarding Iran's nuclear program, or what he referred to as 'smaller-scale agreements,' as they do not serve Israel's goals. Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, added that Israel has repeatedly informed U.S. 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. A day before Barbara Leaf's trip to the Middle East, a White House official, in a written interview with the Persian section of Voice of America, urged the Islamic Republic to take 'steps to de-escalate.' Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated during a daily press briefing that 'any nuclear agreement, whether temporary or permanent, 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 considered the preferred route to achieve this goal, but the U.S. is prepared for all options and contingencies. An Israeli legislator mentioned that they could accept an 'understanding' for close monitoring of Iran's nuclear program. A U.S. presidential candidate stated that the JCPOA is outdated and unsuitable for the present era. Antony Blinken called reports of a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic 'incorrect.' Iran confirmed the installation of 'about 10 cameras' at the Natanz facility. McCall stated that any agreement that 'merely limits' the Islamic Republic's nuclear program poses a serious threat to U.S. national security. Miller reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a priority for the Biden administration.