Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as a condition for any new agreement between the United States and Iran, a stance outlined Sunday amid renewed nuclear talks in Switzerland.
Netanyahu’s comments, delivered at the annual Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Geneva for a second round of negotiations with US officials. According to the BBC, Netanyahu insisted that Iran relinquish all enriched uranium and be barred from future enrichment activities.
The Israeli leader detailed three core requirements for a prospective deal, stating, “The first is that all enriched material has to leave Iran,” and “The second is that there should be no enrichment capability – not stopping the enrichment process, but dismantling the equipment and the infrastructure that allows you to enrich in the first place.” He also called for a resolution to the issue of Iran’s ballistic missile program and “real, substantive inspections” of Tehran’s nuclear facilities, with no advance notice given to Iranian officials.
The current diplomatic efforts represent a resumption of talks that stalled last year following a 12-day war initiated by Israel with bombing raids on Iranian territory, which were later joined by the United States, targeting three Iranian nuclear sites.
Netanyahu’s public remarks follow a meeting with US President Donald Trump last Wednesday, their seventh since Trump returned to office. While the White House confirmed the meeting took place, Trump stated they had reached no “definitive” agreement, but that he had “insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated.”
Sources familiar with the discussions, as reported by Axios, indicate that Netanyahu and Trump agreed to intensify economic pressure on Iran, particularly targeting its oil sales to China, which currently account for over 80 percent of Iranian exports. The two leaders reportedly share a common goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but disagree on the path to achieve it. Netanyahu reportedly expressed skepticism about reaching a viable agreement, while Trump indicated a willingness to attempt negotiations.
A CBS News report, citing two sources, claims that Trump told Netanyahu during a December meeting in Florida that he would support potential Israeli military strikes against Iran’s ballistic missile program if a diplomatic resolution proves unattainable. Neither the US nor Israel has publicly commented on this report.
The renewed diplomatic push follows threats of further military action from Trump and the deployment of a US aircraft carrier to the Middle East, prompted by a crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran in January. Trump has since announced the dispatch of a second aircraft carrier to the region, openly discussing the possibility of regime change in Iran. “In case we don’t build a deal, we’ll need it … if we need it, we’ll have it ready,” Trump said, according to reports.
Iran, for its part, has maintained its denial of any intention to develop nuclear weapons, but has indicated a willingness to discuss limitations on its atomic program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Iranian officials have stated that linking the issue to its missile program is a non-starter. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Monday he will meet with the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi in Geneva ahead of Tuesday’s talks with the US, stating, “I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal. What is not on the table: submission before threats.”
Iran has also warned of retaliatory strikes against US bases in the Middle East should it be attacked, raising concerns of a wider regional conflict.
