US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan talked with Israeli PM Naftali Bennett concerning the process of nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Bennett called for the termination of talks reiterating former claims about Iran’s plans to threaten Israel.
As international powers seek to revive the nuclear deal with Iran, US National Security Adviser talked with Israeli PM, urging for a shared policy. Naftali Bennett stressed that the nuclear talks on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions would have deep repercussions for Israel’s sovereignty.
Israeli administration has stood staunchly against the global initiatives to resurrect the JCPOA, which saw Iran pledge to limit its nuclear programs in return for respite from sanctions.
Ex-American President pulled Washington out of the accord three years ago, instead launching a strategy of “maximum pressure” through sanctions against Iran. Donald Trump’s actions were direct violation of the measure that Washington committed through the deal.
Jake Sullivan, according to him, occurred in a critical time span. He emphasized on developing an integrative strategy to deal with the Iranian policies. “It’s important that we sit together and develop a common strategy, a common outlook, and find a way forward that fundamentally secures your country’s interests and mine,” he further explained.
Sullivan did not address Iran specifically in his remarks, but the conversation centered on the nuclear negotiations. The two sides will start the 8th round of talks in the coming days. Israeli prime minister has demanded a cease to the talks, to the observer’s astonishment, accusing Tehran of “nuclear blackmail”. He reiterated former remarks claiming that the cash from sanctions release will be used to obtain weaponry to attack Israel.
If Iranian nuclear programs continue at their present rate, American chief negotiator claimed yesterday, there would be just a few weeks remaining to save the agreement.
Jake Sullivan, Naftali Bennett and Nuclear Strategy
The remarks by Jake Sullivan in meeting with Israeli PM must be seen in the larger scope of nuclear strategy. Biden’s plan, Since the takeover of power, has been the revival of nuclear deal to start for another deal.
In this framework, Biden administration in using Israel as a latent leverage in the nuclear talks. Exhausted by Iran‘s insistence on receiving the maximum benefits according to the original deal, the White House means to use Tel Aviv as a potential threat, military or security, to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In recent years, Israel planned several attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Though avoiding to directly take responsibility, Tel Aviv and Tehran’s responses clarified Israel’s dangerous attempts.
Recent American remarks about other alternatives mainly referred to Israel’s potential to pose risks for Iranian infrastructures. Looking deeper inside the claims, however, Washington prefers the agreement and Israel’s threat will remain at the level of negotiating leverage.
Furthermore, Biden administration is under harsh pressure by the US congress, mainly republican representatives, over talks with Tehran. Republican legislators condemn any sort of settlements with Tehran and call for hard power against it.
Biden’s continuing rapport with Tel Aviv could have to impacts. First, it could soften the negative positions against the administration in the legislative apparatus. Joe Biden will need congress support to proceed with its financial programs in the coming years.
Furthermore, it reinforces the credibility of the government in the US political system which is under sharp Zionist influence. En route, the government could proceed with the nuclear talk according to its plans.
Jake Sullivan, Rob Malley, and Antony Blinken are figure within the same game field. Israel’s threat is more a diplomatic strategy for Washington rather than a military one. The US Won’t step in another swamp in the Middle East.
