The U.S. Accuses Israel of 'Leaking Incorrect Information' About Iran's Nuclear Negotiations

On Wednesday, February 17, the White House and the U.S. State Department accused Israeli officials of leaking 'inaccurate and incorrect' information from nuclear negotiations with Iran, selectively discussing only 'the parts that serve their interests and ignoring the overall context.' According to Reuters, Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, told reporters at a press conference: 'It is clear that some of the things Israeli officials are saying about the negotiations with Iran are inaccurate.' He added: 'This is evident, and there is no doubt about it.' Earnest stated that the U.S. government is mindful of the confidentiality of the negotiations and that the Israeli government is 'distorting' the U.S. position. Jen Psaki, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman, also accused Israel on February 17 of 'cherry-picking and sharing information.' Psaki said: 'It can be said with confidence that everything the Israeli government says is an inaccurate reflection of the details (of the nuclear negotiations with Iran).' The nuclear negotiations involving Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have entered a critical phase, with both sides agreeing to reach an agreement by the end of June. The White House spokesman did not answer whether the U.S. consults with Israel regarding the nuclear negotiations with Iran, stating: 'The U.S. is careful not to make the negotiations and their details public and to ensure that the information discussed at the negotiating table does not come out selectively and out of context, distorting the position of the U.S. and our allies.' According to AFP, Earnest added: 'Reports stating that the U.S. is no longer discussing the negotiations with Iran with its ally Israel are incorrect.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and current Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman oppose the nuclear agreement with Iran and have expressed their dissatisfaction with the U.S. regarding these discussions. Israel is soon to witness elections. The Likud party, in its latest campaign move and an advertisement published by the Jerusalem Post, claimed that anyone other than Benjamin Netanyahu winning the elections would create conditions for the advance of ISIS or an 'Islamic state.' Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the U.S. Congress on March 3, two weeks before the Israeli elections. He has been invited to this speech by John Boehner, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. This invitation has not only provoked reactions from the Democratic Party and the U.S. government but has also been heavily criticized by Netanyahu's rivals. The Israeli elections will be held on March 15. In this context, the Wall Street Journal reported on a secret letter from Khamenei to Obama, stating that the chances of a nuclear agreement with Iran by April are 'very weak.' Haaretz reported that the U.S. is providing less information to Israel about the negotiations with Iran. Netanyahu stated: 'The Iranian empire is being revived.' Restrictions by the Israeli Election Commission on Netanyahu's speech at Congress were noted. Khamenei stated that if the nuclear issue progresses, sanctions will not be lifted again.