NYT: Iran's nuclear program sows unrest in Israeli-US relations
The New York Times quotes US and Israeli officials as saying that there are several tensions between the two over Iran, illegal settlements, and spyware firms.
US and Israeli officials have revealed rising tensions between US President Joe Biden's administration and the Israeli occupation government over several issues, one of which is the Iranian nuclear activity.
According to the New York Times, two senior Israeli officials left Washington with concerns that the US' commitment to the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal might allow Tehran to develop its nuclear program faster than before.
"Israeli officials in private argue that the Iranians are advancing their nuclear program while betting that the United States, eager to diminish American commitments in the Middle East, will not abandon the Vienna talks for more forceful action," the published article read.
Iran's nuclear activity is not the only disagreement shaking the US-Israeli relations. In fact, the two governments have recently argued over the possibility of the US reopening its consulate to Palestinians in occupied Al-Quds, which was closed by former US President Donald Trump.
Israeli occupation Prime Minister said such a move "would undermine Israel’s sovereignty."
In addition, disagreement over the expansion of the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the US blacklisting spyware firms NSO and Candiru has further complicated the relations between the two.
"More recently, they have disagreed about the wisdom of Israeli sabotage of Iranian facilities, which Bennett’s government believes has set back the program, and which some in the United States argue only encourages the Iranians to build back the nuclear enrichment facilities with more efficient, up-to-date equipment," The New York Times reported.
According to US and Israeli officials, a tense call between Bennett and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the Vienna Talks "left officials in both countries frustrated," the newspaper revealed. During the call, Bennett said Iran was blackmailing the US.
Some Israeli officials pointed out that the US is studying lifting some sanctions it imposed on Iran in order to temporarily freeze the latter's nuclear activity. However, US officials confirmed that this choice is currently not being considered due to "Iran’s unwillingness to engage."
The Israeli officials are also worried that a US-Iran deal would forbid Israeli intelligence from carrying out sabotage attacks on Iran, the New York Times concluded.