As the United States, European powers, Russia and China engage the Iranian regime in talks to reenter the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—better known as the Iran nuclear deal—in Vienna, a new phenomenon is emerging in Jerusalem. From the highest echelons in Israel comes one clear and distinct message for the Biden administration: hold the Iranians accountable and don’t negotiate a weak and useless deal, unless you’re prepared for unilateral Israeli action.
As with the previous JCPOA talks, a major flaw in the negotiation process has been a lack of participation by the regional powers most directly threatened by the prospect of a nuclear Iran. But Israel seems determined to have a voice in the discussion, if not a seat at the table. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett last week stated that Iran was engaging in “nuclear blackmail.” He urged an “immediate cessation” of the nuclear talks in Vienna.
Bennett may have had in mind recent Israeli intelligence reports, which suggested Iran is preparing to enrich uranium to 90 percent purity—the level required for a nuclear weapon. Once Iran initiates this process, the genie will be out of the bottle. It will have the knowledge and capability to produce nuclear weapons, after having spent years developing the missile technology needed to deliver one.
The prime minister reiterated these concerns in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, stating that world powers must halt negotiations with and impose strict measures on Iran before the point of no return.
During what would normally be a symbolic event with straightforward diplomatic protocols, Israeli president Isaac Herzog echoed Bennett’s statements. At a ceremony to accept the credentials of the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides, Herzog stated that should the international community fail to halt Iran’s march to nuclear weapons, “Israel will do so. Israel will protect itself.”
Even the new head of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, spoke up about Iran. Director David Barnea pledged that “Iran will not have nuclear weapons—not in the coming years, not ever. This is my personal commitment, this is the Mossad’s commitment.” He went on, “Our eyes are open, we are alert, and together with our colleagues in the defense establishment, we will do whatever it takes to keep that threat away from the state of Israel and to thwart it in every way.” Barnea also sharply criticized the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal as “terrible” and “barely tolerable” on the eve of his visit to the U.S. and meetings at CIA headquarters this week.
President Joe Biden would do well to listen to the message Jerusalem is broadcasting. The U.S. is at a fateful crossroads. Israel is its key strategic ally and security partner in the Middle East. And thanks to the Abraham Accords and Iran’s destabilizing activities throughout the region, Israel is now formally allied with Gulf Arab neighbors—together these countries can form the backbone of U.S. interests in the region.
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