Intel: Israel sees bad faith in Iran’s delay to return to nuclear talks

Israeli officials visiting Washington this week discussed what they see as a need to apply more pressure on Iran as the window of opportunity continues to close for the United States to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran.

Even if Iran sends negotiators to the table in Vienna, Israeli officials worry the new hard-line government will continue to throw in additional demands, delaying the talks further as Iran continues its steps toward nuclear weapons capabilities.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid held “very intimate” discussions with US officials this week on what could be done if progress falters, a senior Israeli official told reporters in Washington today, but the two sides did not discuss specific contingency plans or military options in any detail.

“I don’t think that’s where we are yet,” the Israeli official said on condition of anonymity.