Israel sees “no value” in returning to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a senior official said on Monday, ahead of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s visit to Washington, where he is set to meet U.S. President Joe Biden and other top officials.
“Iran is currently at the most advanced point of its nuclear program, at least in terms of enrichment,” the official said in a briefing to reporters. “The rate of enrichment since May 2018 is concerning,” he added. That was when former President Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement meant to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.
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Iran has produced uranium metal enriched up to 20% for the first time, as well as having significantly increased its production capacity of uranium enriched up to 60%, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported last week.
Bennett is set to leave for Washington on Tuesday, alongside senior defense officials and national security advisers. On Wednesday, the prime minister will meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
In his Thursday meeting with President Biden – the two leaders’ first since both assumed office, Bennett plans to present a plan developed by his government to restrain Iran. “I’m telling President Biden the time has come to stop Iran, not to throw them a lifeline in the form of a nuclear deal, that has already expired,” Bennett told a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Israeli officials expect Biden and Bennet to also discuss Americas’ recent withdrawal from Afghanistan, as well as the Palestinian issue and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
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