Israeli defense officials have been seeing a slowdown in the progress of Iran’s nuclear program over the past three months, but are concerned about Tehran’s decision to enrich uranium to 60 percent.
They attribute this to the renewal of talks between Iran and the United States and Europe, rather than a lack of capabilities or recent damage to production plants.
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According to a political source who spoke on Monday, “Iran is at the most advanced stage of its nuclear program, at least in terms of enrichment. The rate of enrichment since 2018 is dizzying and alarming.”
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is expected to tell U.S. President Joe Biden in their meeting on Thursday that the Israeli position on Iran is that Jerusalem has the right to take unilateral action against Tehran if it believes the country is under threat.
Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, touched on the subject in a press briefing on Wednesday.
“The progression of the Iranian nuclear program has led the IDF to accelerate its operational plans,” he said, adding that the effort to keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon is part of a military campaign that the IDF is conducting “systematically and in various ways in order to limit Iran’s influence in the Middle East.”
After U.S. officials made clear in recent meetings with defense and political officials in Israel that they are determined to reach an agreement with Iran, Jerusalem is trying to home in on several clauses in the prospective deal that it says pose a strategic threat to Israel’s security.
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One clause Israel wants kept out from any future agreement is allowing Tehran to continue enriching uranium to any level it wants beginning in 2031, including to the 90 percent required to build a nuclear bomb.
Another clause causing concern in Israel is one that would allow Iran to possess and operate advanced centrifuges, without any restrictions, beginning in 2026.
According to assessments by Israeli defense officials, Washington has three options regarding a return to a deal with Iran. The first option is a return to the original deal, with some alterations to major aspects. A second option, preferred by the U.S., is signing a new deal that is based on the original one, with a commitment to immediately enter negotiations toward another, long-term agreement. A third option, preferred by Israel, is a slowing down of negotiations while additional pressure is placed on Tehran.
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