Israel: Will see Iran deal saves interests

Tel Aviv, April 11: Israel will work with Washington to ensure any “new agreement” on Iran's nuclear programme will safeguard regional security, Defence Minister Benny Gantz told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Sunday. The comments came as Austin made the first high-level US trip to Israel since talks resumed on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, which the Jewish state fiercely opposed.

Gantz said “we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel”.

Austin, the highest-level envoy from President Joe Biden's administration yet to visit ally Israel, said Washington would work with Israel “to advance shared security interest and priorities”.

Stressing America's “iron-clad” bond with Israel, Austin said the US will “continue close consultations to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge and to strengthen Israel's security”. Austin's visit came just days after the US said it had offered “very serious” ideas on reviving the hobbled nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and world powers, which was abandoned by former president Donald Trump in 2018. Israel under hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a fierce critic of the Iran nuclear deal, dating back to when it was being negotiated during Barack Obama's administration. Netanyahu applauded when Trump withdrew from the deal and imposed sanctions on Tehran.