Israel raises concerns over Iran probe as deal looms
The Biden administration told Israel that it won’t pressure the International Atomic Energy Agency to drop its investigation into Iran’s unexplained nuclear material.
As momentum builds toward a revived nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, Israel has privately expressed concerns to the United States about the fate of a multiyear investigation into past Iranian nuclear activity.
After nearly a year and a half of indirect talks aimed at salvaging the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Israel has issued some of its sharpest public criticism yet of the emerging deal, which if implemented, would offer Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear activities.
“Israel is not against any agreement,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid told reporters on Wednesday. “We are against this agreement because it is a bad one.”
Lapid’s comments came as Israeli officials mounted a behind-the-scenes effort in Washington this week aimed at ensuring additional compromises are not granted in the current back-and-forth with Iran.
