Biden and Bennett: "Iran Must Not Have Nuclear Weapons... Alternative Options If Negotiations Fail"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The leaders of the United States and Israel reaffirmed their stance against allowing Iran to possess nuclear weapons.

According to major foreign media on the 28th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and U.S. President Joe Biden met at the White House the previous day to discuss the Iran nuclear issue and shared this view.

During the meeting, President Biden stated regarding the Iran nuclear issue, "We are prioritizing diplomacy and monitoring progress," adding, "However, if diplomacy fails, we are prepared to choose other 'options'."

The Israeli Prime Minister, considered Iran's greatest adversary, welcomed the U.S. commitment not to allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. Meeting the U.S. President for the first time since taking office, Prime Minister Bennett told reporters immediately after the meeting, "I was pleased to hear (President Biden) say that Iran will not be allowed to have nuclear weapons," and added, "If diplomacy does not work, other options will be chosen." The summit between the U.S. and Israel was postponed by one day due to the terrorist attack at Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

Following the mention of "other options" by the U.S. and Israel, Iran immediately reacted. Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, wrote on Twitter on the 28th, "Mentioning 'other options' is an illegal threat to another country," adding, "This only strengthens Iran's justification for its response." Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Iran's newly inaugurated president this month, has taken a hardline stance, stating, "We will strive to lift oppressive sanctions, but we will not be bound by the will of foreigners."

The U.S. and other Western countries are engaged in tug-of-war negotiations with Iran over restoring the nuclear agreement (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Since early April, Iran has been participating in negotiations in Vienna, Austria, with Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany to restore the nuclear deal. Although Iran claimed it would not engage in talks with the U.S., it is reported that the two countries indirectly exchanged views during the talks. However, these negotiations were temporarily suspended on June 20, and the timing of their resumption remains uncertain. Iran has expressed its intention to continue negotiations following the inauguration of the new administration.