Yair Lapid threatens Iran with action in regard with its ambiguous nuclear program. Once a critic of nuclear negotiations, Tel Aviv seems to have shifted position encouraging the continuation of nuclear talks.
Israeli Foreign Minister has stated that Tel Aviv “reserves the right” to move over Iran, implying that action may be required to halt Iranian nuclear development. Yair Lapid also added that the so-called civilized world must clarify that Tehran would not receive permission to develop a nuclear weapon.
“US Secretary of State and I are sons of Holocaust survivors; we know there are moments when nations must use force to protect the world from evil,” Lapid asserted during a joint press conference with his UAE and US colleagues.
Yair Lapid makes the comment while negotiations between Iran and the US to restore the JCPOA is on hold. Since presidential election and change of power in Iran, the two sides have been gearing up to restart the talks. Unknown obstacles, however, hindered the process leading to silent tension between the two sides.
Based on JCPOA, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Tehran agreed to downsize its nuclear program in return for the easing of economic and security sanctions. Iran would rush for the bomb, according to Lapid, if it does not feel the international community’s commitment about hindering such attempts. “Israel reserves the right to act in any fashion at any time,” he added. “Not only is that our right, but it’s also our obligation.”
Iranian leaders reject the claims about the nation’s plan to create a nuke weapon. Israel recurrently expressed that Iran may have secret nuclear weapons, yet fails to provide evidence for the claim. Furthermore, Israel is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Iran has long declared its commitment.
Lapid, Blinken Threats against Iran
Blinken underlined the US government’s commitment for a “diplomatic approach” to settle concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. He, nevertheless, expressed disappointment with Iran’s lack of responsiveness to Washington’s demands for discussions.
Blinken also added that for a smooth talk process, both sides must be involved. warned that the time to save the nuclear deal is running out. “We’re approaching a point when returning to JCPOA compliance will not, in and of itself, recoup the JCPOA’s benefits,” he continued.
2015 nuclear deal went through a process of violations since 2018 with former US president Donald Trump unilateral withdrawal. The US continued with imposing harsh sanctions against Iran against the commitments specified in the deal.
In response, Iran started to move away from the deal in a step by step process. Tehran clearly announced the reason and finally started 60% uranium enrichment early in 2021.
With takeover of power by Biden in US administration, Washington shifted policies and announced the decision to revive the deal. Iran accepted to negotiated despite recurrent violation of commitment by American Side. The two sides talked indirectly for six rounds, with The US attempt to change the original deal hindering any achievement.
The shift in policies also impacted Iranian strategy following the takeover of power by Ebrahim Raisi. The new conservative president in Iran has kept the western side on hold since June.
Lapid’s intervention in the process may seem absurd at the first glance. A deeper analysis, however, shows that the US is using Tel Aviv to put pressure on Iran. Israel has a history of security attacks on Iranian positions, mostly responded by Iran.
The remarks by Yair Lapid must be analyzed through the lens of US exhaustion to deal with Iran. Iran seems to know the structure of the game.
