This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 18 that he opposes any interim agreement reportedly being negotiated between the United States and Iran over its nuclear program.
Netanyahu spoke after reports in Israeli media said understandings are being reached between Washington and Tehran that would seek to hold back Iran’s nuclear program somewhat, in exchange for some sanctions relief.
The reports could not be independently confirmed, and the United States has publicly denied any such deal.
Netanyahu said Israel had informed the United States that “the most limited understandings, what are termed ‘mini-agreements’, do not – in our view – serve the goal and we are opposed to them as well.”
On June 17, a senior Israeli lawmaker said Israel could find acceptable an understanding between Iran and the United States if it includes rigorous supervision of Tehran’s nuclear program.
“It’s not a wide-scope agreement. It’s more like a small agreement, a memorandum of understanding…and I think Israel can live with this if there is real supervision,” said Yuli Edelstein, head of the Israeli parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
