Israel’s Gantz Wants a ‘Broader, Stronger, and Longer’ Iran Nuclear Deal

Israel is opposed to the US's plans to resume JCPOA negotiations

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he would favor a “broader, stronger, and longer” Iran nuclear deal than the JCPOA, which the US and Iran are set to resume negotiations on next week.

“I support an agreement that will be broader, stronger, and longer — taking Iran back, dismantling its current capabilities, and placing effective inspections on its sites and on its weapons production,” Gantz said.

Israel’s opposition to the Biden administration’s plans to resume negotiations with Iran is no secret. Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid reiterated Israel’s stance in a meeting with US special envoy Robert Malley, who visited Israel and other country’s in the region ahead of the new talks with Iran that will begin on November 29th.

One issue Israeli officials have with the JCPOA is that it has an expiration date. But after the JCPOA, Iran would still be bound by the Non-Proliferations Treaty, which Israel refuses to sign due to its secret nuclear weapons program.

The reality is, the JCPOA is a very strict deal, limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent and making Iran’s civilian nuclear program subject to the most stringent inspections in the world. If Israel really cared about limiting Iran’s enrichment and other nuclear activity, it would favor a JCPOA revival instead of doing everything it can to prevent it.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.