Tensions between Washington and Jerusalem seem to be growing as Netanyahu fears the outcome of a “bad deal” between the US-led Western negotiators and Iran.
Speaking out again on Thursday against the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding the latter’s nuclear aspirations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked what there was to hide and why the US was not forthcoming with the details of the pending agreement between the two sides.
Addressing a security conference regarding the unusually harsh weather at the Public Security Ministry in Lod, Netanyahu said: “We know that Tehran knows the details of the talks. Now I tell you that Israel also knows the details of the proposed agreement. I think this is a bad agreement that is dangerous for the State of Israel, and not just for it. If anyone thinks otherwise, what is there to hide here?”
Netanyahu voiced these sentiments a few days earlier as well, to which US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki responded: “Then the fact is that he knows more than the negotiators in that there is no deal yet.”
“Obviously, if there’s a deal, we’ll be explaining the deal and explaining why and how it prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. And if that’s the case and we come to a deal, it’s hard to see how anyone wouldn’t see that’s to the benefit of the international community,” Psaki said.
Leaving Israel out of the Loop
Netanyahu’s remarks came a day after the US confirmed that it was keeping Israel in the dark regarding the Iranian nuclear negotiations. White House and State Department spokespersons admitted on Wednesday that sensitive details were being concealed from Israel due to Netanyahu’s public objection to several concessions.
The Obama administration made this move allegededly in retaliation for Netanyahu’s upcoming Congressional address on the issue of the Iranian nuclear threat scheduled for next month, to which the White House is vigorous opposed.
Meanwhile, Israel Hayom reports that US National Security Adviser Susan Rice met with her Israeli counterpart, Yossi Cohen, at the White House on Thursday for a discussion on Iran’s nuclear program, among other issues. The White House said that the national security advisers agreed to continue close consultations.
By: United with Israel Staff
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