Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated his long standing demand that Iran’s entire nuclear infrastructure be dismantled, even as the United States and Iran continue indirect negotiations over a potential nuclear accord.
The talks, mediated by Oman, have seen three rounds so far, with the goal of blocking Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while offering relief from crippling US sanctions. Oman recently indicated that both parties are pursuing a deal aimed at keeping Iran “completely free” of nuclear weapons while still allowing the development of peaceful nuclear energy.
However, Netanyahu dismissed any agreement that falls short of full dismantlement, insisting that only a deal similar to Libya’s 2003 disarmament — which saw Tripoli relinquish its nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile programs — would be acceptable. “The only good deal is one that removes all of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” Netanyahu said during a conference in Jerusalem organised by the Jewish News Syndicate.
Israel has consistently vowed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and Netanyahu reiterated that stance, suggesting that Israel would act independently if necessary. Despite US President Donald Trump’s reported reluctance to support a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, Israeli officials have not ruled out such an operation in the coming months.
During his address, Netanyahu also stressed that any nuclear agreement should restrict Iran’s ballistic missile development — a point of contention between Washington and Tehran. An Iranian official recently told Reuters that Tehran views its missile programme as a major sticking point in the negotiations.
Tensions between the two nations have continued to escalate, with Iran launching drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at Israel in both April and October 2024, following Israeli strikes that killed Iranian generals and operatives linked to Iranian proxies.
“We are in close contact with the United States,” Netanyahu said, “but I have made it clear: one way or another, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”
Melissa Enoch
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