Israel could accept US-Iran nuclear understanding: Senior lawmaker
2 min read 18 Jun 2023, 08:10 AM ISTIsrael could accept an understanding between Iran and the US that includes strict supervision of Tehran's nuclear programme, according to a senior lawmaker.
PremiumIn a statement on Saturday, a senior lawmaker expressed that Israel could find an acceptable understanding between its arch-foe, Iran, and the United States if it includes strict supervision of Tehran's nuclear program.
Talks between Washington and Tehran are currently underway to outline steps that could potentially limit Iran's nuclear programme, according to Iranian and Western officials These steps would be cast as an "understanding", rather than a comprehensive agreement requiring review by the U.S. Congress, like the 2015 accord that was abandoned by former President Donald Trump.
"It's not a wide-scope agreement, it's more like a small agreement, a memorandum of understanding, an M.O.U., and I think Israel can live with this if there is real supervision," said Yuli Edelstein, head of the Israeli parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, reported Channel 12's Meet the Press.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refrained from commenting on whether Edelstein's remarks align with the views of the premier.
Netanyahu, in a televised statement on Tuesday before briefing the foreign affairs and defence committee, emphasized that no agreement with Iran would obligate Israel, as it will take all necessary measures to defend itself.
"Our opposition to the deal - a return to the original (2015) deal - is working, I think," he said. He also highlighted that there are differing outlooks on smaller agreements. Netanyahu affirmed that Israel has been transparent in expressing its position during both closed and open sessions.
Uncertainties surrounding Iran's uranium enrichment
One key aspect of the potential understanding revolves around the degree to which Iran would agree to restrain its uranium enrichment. Israeli officials within Netanyahu's circle have provided differing perspectives on this matter.
Netanyahu's national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in an interview to Israel Hayom that Israel views any new understanding as less damaging compared to the 2015 deal, but they remain prepared for any Iranian shift towards uranium enrichment exceeding 60 percent fissile purity, which would indicate weapon-related purposes. While 90 percent fissile purity is required for a bomb.
On the other hand, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer expressed misgivings about any "freeze" of current enrichment levels.
“It means that you reconcile with a higher level of enrichment in Iran. And we thought that was a bad idea then, and we think it's a bad idea today," Dermer told the AJC Global Forum in Tel Aviv.
After failing to revive the 2015 deal, the Biden administration aims to reimpose limitations on Iran's nuclear program to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which could pose a threat to Israel and trigger a regional arms race. The US government has dismissed reports of seeking an interim deal with Tehran, while Tehran denies pursuing nuclear weapons.
(With inputs from Reuters)