Netanyahu heads to Europe with Iran on top of agenda
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to Europe this week in a bid to rally support from key allies for amending the international nuclear deal with Iran and for pushing Iranian forces out of neighboring Syria.
Netanyahu is set to meet with leaders from Germany, France and Britain, beginning with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.
Addressing his Cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu said archenemy Iran would top his agenda and voiced optimism for a successful visit. Israel has been a leading critic of the international nuclear deal with Iran, and more recently, has said it will not allow Iran to establish a permanent military presence in Syria.
“For years we stood alone against these twin threats and I think that the situation has changed for the better,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu unsuccessfully tried to block the landmark nuclear deal, which gave Iran relief from crippling sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, when it was negotiated in 2015 under the leadership of President Barack Obama. He has found a welcome ally in President Donald Trump, who last month announced the U.S. was withdrawing from the deal.
Both the U.S. and Israel hope that Trump’s withdrawal can lead all sides into addressing what they say are the deal’s shortcomings — including “sunset” provisions that end restrictions on Iranian nuclear activities, such as enriching uranium, as well as permitting Iran to continue to develop long-range missiles.
Netanyahu says that as the deal expires over the next decade or so, Iran will emerge with the ability to produce a nuclear bomb in a very short time.
In addition to the U.S., the nuclear deal was negotiated by Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China. The remaining members have said they remain committed to the deal. Iran for now also is honoring the agreement, though some top officials have suggested it resume its enrichment activities.
Macron’s office said France will insist on having a dialogue with Iran.
An official in his office said Macron, along with Germany and the U.K., have all been “clear” that they will work with the existing deal, viewing it as the best way to control Iran’s nuclear activity. The official spoke on condition of anonymity under customary briefing guidelines.
Oded Eran, a former Israeli ambassador to the European Union, said Netanyahu is unlikely to change the minds of his counterparts on the necessity for the current agreement.