Israel, US to discuss plans to curb Iran's nuclear program

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday said he will discuss with US President Joe Biden how to "curb” Iran's nuclear program, according to Israeli TV.

"We will deal with many fronts, most notably the Iranian front, especially the leap that occurred in the past two or three years, in the Iranian nuclear program,” Bennett told reporters before leaving for Washington.

"We will talk about plans to curb Iran's nuclear program," he added.

The Israeli premier said: "There is a new government in the United States and a new government in Israel, and I bring with me a new spirit of cooperation, based on a special and long-term relationship between the two countries."

Bennett, quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, said he would also discuss with Biden "some measures to enhance Israel's military superiority."

"I am traveling to Washington to meet President Joe Biden, the old and true friend of Israel," he said, noting that he will meet Wednesday with several US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Six rounds of talks in Vienna on reviving the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers failed to prove a result, with disagreements lingering over mutual compliance requirements and US sanctions.

Israel opposes the US returning to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran after the administration of former President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat