Israeli concerns of IRGC removal from US terror list
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Israeli media report on Israeli fears of the US' intent to remove the IRGC from its list of terror organizations.
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Bennett: Concerned of US intent to respond to Iran's demand
Israeli media reported on Sunday that the Israeli Prime Minister referred in his opening remarks in the government's weekly meeting to the Vienna Talks, saying that Iran's demand in the nuclear talks "to remove the Revolutionary Guards from the list of terrorist organizations."
Bennett further said that "there is a determination to sign the nuclear agreement with Iran at almost any cost", adding that "even if this unfortunate decision is made," then "Israel" will continue to treat the IRGC "as a terrorist organization."
The Israeli Prime Minister stressed, "We are very concerned about the US' intention to respond to Iran's cheeky demand."
For its part, Israeli newspaper "Israel" Hayom said that the head of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Ram ben Barak, conducted an interview with Israeli 103 FM regarding the latest Iranian cyberattack against Mossad chief David Barnea wherein he attacked US policies in light of the impending signing of a revival of the JCPOA.
He added that it is difficult to understand the latest US policies, saying he believes they are making a mistake, but it seems that someone wants to reach a deal at any price.
Even if the deal collapses
The Israeli daily expected that "Israel" will continue to make strong statements against the Biden administration's intent to remove the IRGC from its terror list, saying that even if this leads to foiling the deal in Congress, "Israel" will continue to publicly oppose the nuclear deal.
It noted that it is expected that the Israeli opposition will make it harder for the deal to be approved in Congress, and that "Israel's" political leadership believes removing the IRGC from the list is "unethical", and that it jeopardizes the lives of Israelis and others.
The US administration is currently considering the removal of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps from its terror blacklist in exchange for a commitment from Iran to "de-escalate" in the region, according to Axios.
One of the remaining points in the Vienna Talks is the removal of IRGC's designation as a terror group. The terror designation means that criminal penalties would be imposed on anyone doing business with any individual or entity connected to the IRGC.
In a briefing on Friday, US Press Secretary Jen Psaki said negotiations are "ongoing".
“There’s an ongoing negotiation. I’m not going to get into specifics of it. But I would just note that the status quo where we stand has done nothing to make us safer in any regard. In fact, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard has only been strengthened," she stated.
