PARIS — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Thursday that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons "is a common objective of France and Israel" and said that indirect talks between Washington and Tehran were likely to start soon. 

During a one-day visit to Paris, Saar addressed the possibility that the Trump administration will initiate indirect talks with Iran regarding a nuclear agreement. He stated, “We don’t hold discussions with the Iranians, as you know, but [Tehran] made clear they are ready to enter into indirect negotiations with the US, and I won’t be surprised if such negotiations start.”

An Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that the country is not opposed to US diplomatic negotiations with Iran in principle. What matters is the outcome, the source emphasized, stressing that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear capabilities. The source also noted that Israel is maintaining ongoing discussions not only with Washington but also with Paris and London to coordinate positions on Iran.

Saar told Al-Monitor he would not publicly specify Israel’s red lines regarding a potential nuclear deal with Iran. However, he noted, “We are sharing information and analysis” with France, highlighting that cooperation on Iran was a key part of his meeting Thursday with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.