Limor Simhony Philpott

How Israel can block Iran’s nuclear dreams

(Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)

In his first press conference, Iran’s new President unequivocally objected to renegotiating the Obama-era nuclear deal. Israel’s new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, will be unimpressed. He reacted to the election of hardliner Ibrahim Raisi by saying that it’s ‘the last chance for world powers to wake up… and understand who they are doing business with’. For Israel’s new government, the so-called hangman of Tehran’s election presents new problems.

Israel’s military will no doubt be attempting to disrupt Iran’s nuclear programme as you read this


When US President Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement, the Iranian regime quickly used the opportunity to increase uranium enrichment — an increase that puts Iran perilously close to developing a nuclear bomb. Even though America’s withdrawal from the deal arguably played into Iranian hands, for Israel a return to a bad nuclear deal is as bad as no nuclear deal.

As the UN Security Council and Iran re-enter talks about an American return to the 2015 deal, Israel has a choice. On the one hand, it could stand on the sidelines and take an uncompromising position against a deal that could severely threaten Israel’s safety. The position would likely alienate Israel’s natural allies. On the other hand, the country could engage in talks with the nations involved in order to influence the nature of the deal, a position that would require compromise.

This complicated task will fall primarily on PM Bennett, foreign minister Lapid and defence minister Gantz. They are concerned that Biden may be eager to return to a deal that includes insufficient restrictions and oversight, with a plan to renegotiate a tighter agreement later on — although this seems unlikely to happen under Raisi.

Bennett and Lapid have in the past objected strongly to the deal with Iran. In his inaugural speech, Bennett declared that Israel’s position on the matter will not change.






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