Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump agrees that any future agreement with Iran must completely eliminate the nuclear threat posed by Tehran. Speaking at a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized that the current negotiations in Vienna should not result in a deal that allows Iran to maintain any nuclear capabilities.
Shared Stance on Iran's Nuclear Program
Netanyahu revealed that he and Trump have discussed the ongoing talks and share a common position: the deal must ensure that Iran's nuclear program is fully dismantled. The Israeli leader stressed that any agreement that leaves Iran with the ability to enrich uranium would be unacceptable. He thanked Trump for his unwavering support and for taking a firm stance against Iran's ambitions.
Vienna Talks Underway
The comments come as diplomats from Iran and world powers, including the United States, continue negotiations in Vienna aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Trump administration withdrew from the deal in 2018, citing its failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program and regional activities. Since then, Iran has gradually exceeded the deal's limits on uranium enrichment.
Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of the original JCPOA, arguing that it did not go far enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He has called for a more comprehensive agreement that also covers Iran's missile program and proxy forces in the region.
International Reactions
European mediators have expressed cautious optimism about the talks, but significant gaps remain. Iran insists on the lifting of all sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, while the U.S. demands that Iran first return to compliance with the deal. Netanyahu's remarks underscore the deep divisions between Israel and Iran, as well as the challenges facing diplomats in Vienna.
The Israeli PM also warned that if negotiations fail, Israel reserves the right to take military action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He urged the international community to maintain maximum pressure on Tehran until it agrees to verifiable and permanent restrictions on its nuclear activities.
