Feb 12 โ€ข 17:38 UTC ๐Ÿ‡ถ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Qatar Al Jazeera

Netanyahu questions the value of the agreement with Iran as the Israeli army prepares offensive plans

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the value of any potential agreement with Iran, while emphasizing the need to address additional issues beyond Iran's nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly questioned the viability of reaching an agreement with Iran, suggesting that any negotiations should cover significant concerns beyond just Tehran's nuclear ambitions. He highlighted that issues like Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups must be included in any discussions. These remarks were made to reporters shortly before his departure from Washington, indicating a strategic approach to engaging with the United States on this matter.

Netanyahu's statements came after a three-hour closed-door meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, which concluded without a joint press conference, a rarity for such high-profile discussions. Both leaders issued separate statements following their discussions, with Netanyahu appearing to seek influence over Trump's stance on the U.S.-Iran negotiations to deter what he termed a "bad deal." The Israeli Prime Minister's preference seems to lean towards a military option against Iran, though he is careful not to be seen as the instigator of such an action.

The context of Netanyahu's comments underscores the ongoing tension regarding Iran's military capabilities and its regional influence, particularly in light of U.S. efforts to negotiate with Tehran. Netanyahu's strategic maneuvering to align U.S. policy with Israeli interests reflects a longstanding concern over Iran's actions and their implications for Israeli security, further complicating an already tumultuous geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.

๐Ÿ“ก Similar Coverage