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'Israel' dreads American-Iranian deal that could unfreeze Iran assets

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
15 Jun 2023 19:44
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The Israeli Maariv news website voiced "Israel's" opposition to the interim agreement; however, they added that such an agreement is likely to happen given the stakes of the two parties, and the fact that it would not require Congress approval.

A student looks at a model of Bushehr nuclear power plant in an exhibition of the country's nuclear achievements, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Commenting on a recent report published by the New York Times anticipating a potential "informal agreement" between Washington and Tehran, the Israeli Maariv quoted security officials saying it was very likely that the United States and Iran would reach an interim agreement.

Security officials fear that the frozen Iranian assets amounting to about $20 billion, which are expected to be released in the first stage in return for stopping uranium enrichment, will increase Iran's budget dedicated to financing resistance movements in Lebanon, Palestine, and the region at large, the Israeli site reported.

"The political-security leadership in Israel is disturbed by the fact that the Americans did not inform them of the progress of the negotiations between the United States and Iran through Oman," the site added.

Officials in the security apparatus also confirmed that "in the current situation, Israel has no influence on the agreement that is being drafted and its provisions."

The site voiced "Israel's" opposition to the interim agreement; however, they added that such an agreement is likely to happen given the stakes of the two parties, and the fact that it would not require congressional approval.

The security establishment is deeply disturbed by the cold relationship between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu administration and the estrangement it has caused at the leadership level, which further affects the Israeli ability to preserve its interests in the agreement, Maariv reported.

Yesterday, it was reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed to members of a closed parliament meeting that the US and Iran are discussing a nuclear "mini-deal", according to the Israeli news website Walla! which cited five Israeli lawmakers who attended the meeting.

He further argued that the interim deal will not be a comprehensive agreement, in which Iran promises to not exceed 60% of uranium enrichment levels while the US promises to relieve some of the sanctions placed on the country.

The Israeli PM assured the participants at the meeting that discussions between the US and Iran will not lead to a revival of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed the reported ongoing indirect negotiations with the US in Oman, on Monday, as its spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said, "The exchange of messages continues, and the diplomatic apparatus uses all capacities within the framework of Iran’s principled policies to secure national interests. We used Oman’s capacity and assistance as a friendly country."

However, the official also added that Iran will not settle for an interim nuclear deal with the US and its allies, maintaining the Iranian government's objective of returning to the JCPOA agreement, which the US withdrew from in 2018 during Trump's presidency.