Iran Dominates US and Israeli National Security Talks
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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discusses with his Israeli counterpart the strategic challenges in the region, focusing on the Palestinian issue and Iranian threats.
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Iran Dominates the US and Israeli National Security talks
A briefing from the White House stated that Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, met with his Israeli counterpart Eyal Hulata in Washington, to discuss security challenges facing "Israel" in the region, including the Iranian threat.
The briefing disclosed that the advisors exchanged views on opportunities to advance and normalize relations between "Israel" and Arab and Muslim countries, including recent developments in Jordan's relationship with "Israel".
Sullivan stressed the importance of pursuing positive steps toward the Palestinians, which are essential to peace, security, and prosperity, as well as the need to strengthen the partnership between the US and "Israel".
Among discussion topics was the upcoming visit of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to Washington, and Sullivan conveyed President Biden's aspiration to welcome him at the White House soon.
The visit took place while White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki stated that Iran "threatened our own military, as we all know. But we continue to believe that pursuing a diplomatic path forward, that pursuing an opportunity to make sure we have greater visibility into what their nuclear capabilities are is in our national interest."
Psaki added that "as a sovereign country, Israel is going to make their own decisions."
At an earlier time, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken addressed the targeting of the Israeli oil tanker in the Sea of Oman and stated that the attack "follows a pattern of similar attacks by Iran, including past incidents with explosive drones."
During a press conference on Monday, Bliken also vowed that there will be a "collective response," while collaborating with Israel, Romania, and Britain to determine upcoming responses.
Last Sunday, Tel Aviv, Washington, and London accused Tehran of an "unlawful and callous attack," on an oil tanker operated by the Zodiac Maritime Company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, which led to the death of two Romanian and British crew members.
The foreign ministers of Britain and the US vowed to respond to the attack on the ship.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken divulged on Sunday, that Washington is "confident" that Iran is responsible for the attack on the oil tanker. He added that the Biden administration carried out a review of the attack on the ship before making its formal assessment.
Blinken disclosed that the US is coordinating with its partners and consulting with governments in the region.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted, "UK believes the attack on MV MERCER STREET was carried out by Iran and was deliberate, targeted and unlawful," and that "the UK calls on Iran to immediately cease actions that risk regional and international peace and security."
Tehran however, has denied the allegations brought against it. Yesterday, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry warned that it will respond to any "endeavor" that aims to target it.
Last Friday, Dryad, the Maritime Security website, confirmed that an Israeli ship had been targeted in the Gulf of Oman by a drone.
Israeli media quoted senior officials in the military and security institutions stating that "Israel will not ignore the incident of targeting of the Israeli ship and will not be satisfied with any political action, but rather it is considering how to respond in the appropriate time and place."
