The chief of Israel's espionage service will travel to the United States in the coming days to try to derail an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.
The trip is the latest in Israel's efforts to encourage Western nations not to resurrect the landmark 2015 agreement with Tehran, in which US sanctions were eased in exchange for significant limits on Iran's nuclear program.
Israel to Discuss US-Iran Nuclear Talks
According to Israel, a new agreement would ease the funding of Iran-backed extremists such as Hamas while not preventing Tehran from building a nuclear weapon, something Iran has consistently rejected.
As per Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, the new agreement poses bigger threats than the old one. In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump abruptly exited the 2015 agreement and reinstated crushing sanctions.
Lapid argues that removing sanctions will 'give Iran $100 billion per year,' which would be utilized by Iran-backed extremist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad. Experts believe Iran has enriched enough uranium to 60% purity - a short technological step from weapons-grade levels of 90% - to produce one nuclear bomb if it so desires.
However, Iran would still need to develop a weapon and a delivery method, which might take months. Since the 2015 agreement, Iran's influence in war-torn Syria has risen to the point where their efforts have been critical in assisting President Bashar al-Assad, according to Daily Mail.
However, Iran would still need to develop a weapon and a delivery method, which might take months. Since the 2015 agreement, Iran's influence in war-torn Syria has risen to the point where their efforts have been critical in assisting President Bashar al-Assad.
The US is currently conducting operations in Iraq and Syria to oppose attempts by pro-Iranian militias to establish in the region. In recent months, American drones have carried out many strikes in the region on pro-Iranian sites.
An Israeli security official said late last week that one of the main topics discussed in the meeting between Defense Minister Benny Gantz and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday was the development of a reliable and robust military option against Iran that would see the Israelis and Americans working together, as per i24 News.
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Iran Still Analyzing US' Proposal
Iran performed its largest drone practice to date this week, deploying unmanned aerial vehicles from four divisions of the Iranian army and revolutionary guard. This came after Tehran announced that it was supplying Russia with drones - hundreds, according to US sources - to be deployed against Ukrainian soldiers.
According to US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the drones delivered to Russia are already in operation, and as part of Iran's stronger partnership with Russia, Tehran will offer to advise on how to effectively avoid severe sanctions.
US officials earlier this week connected the development to Iran withdrawing two critical demands in the draft document, though Iran rejects this. These requests included the suspension of the UN Atomic Energy Agency's investigation into suspicious activities at Iranian nuclear installations, as well as the removal of the revolutionary guards off the US terror blacklist.
Another point of dispute is Iran's fear that a future US government may withdraw from the agreement, reimposing crushing sanctions. Iranian officials are said to have demanded a five-year term during which the US would be unable to reimpose sanctions.
However, US officials are thought to be hesitant to accept those terms since it would need President Joe Biden to make a guarantee that would limit future governments and Congress. Iran is still reviewing the United States' counter-proposal for a deal and may propose another round of talks in Vienna as soon as next week to certify progress. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has stated that the ball is now in Iran's court, The Telegraph via MSN reported.
