Bennett Says Israel Open to a ‘Good’ Iran Deal But Wants Tougher Vienna Talks

Israel is preparing for potential military operations against Iran as the negotiations in Vienna are ongoing

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel was open to a “good” Iran nuclear deal but also called for world powers to take a tougher stance during the ongoing negotiations in Vienna.

“For sure there can be a good agreement. For sure. We know the parameters. Is that expected to happen now in the current dynamics? No. Because there needs to be a much firmer position,” Bennett told Israel’s Army Radio.

Bennett said Iran currently has little leverage but complained that world powers in Vienna are not taking advantage of the situation. “Iran is negotiating with a very weak hand. But unfortunately, the world is acting like Iran is at a strong point,” he said.

While Israel is not a party to the Iran nuclear deal and shouldn’t have a say in the matter, considering Israel has a secret nuclear weapons program, the US is still coordinating very closely with the Israelis on the Vienna negotiations. Realistically, Iran would likely never agree to any deal that Israel considers to be “good.”

Since the Vienna talks restarted at the end of November, Israeli officials have been urging the US to abandon the process, impose more sanctions, and prepare for potential military action. The Israeli military has been preparing to attack Iran and reportedly submitted plans to the Israeli government on Tuesday.

Last week, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to Israel and reportedly reassured Israeli officials that the US was willing to take a harder line if necessary.

Author: Dave DeCamp

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