SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Israel’s defense minister voiced hope on Sunday that Israeli security would be safeguarded under any renewed Iranian nuclear deal that the United States reaches, as he pledges to cooperation with Washington on Iran.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Israel on Sunday, his first stop on a two-day trip to the Middle Eastern country.
“Israel views the United States as a full partner across all operational theaters, not the least Iran,” Benny Gantz said after hosting Austin, according to Reuters.
“And we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel,” he added.
Austin told his Israeli counterpart that the United States views the alliance with Israel as central to regional security.
“Out bilateral relationship with Israel in particular is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. During our meeting I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz our commitment to Israel is enduring and it is ironclad,” he said.
The U.S. official is also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is worried about the Democratic administration’s desire for a U.S. return to the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, which the previous Republican administration quit.
Netanyahu has said Israel will not be bound by a renewed deal, which he describes as a temporary cap on Iranian nuclear capabilities that would pave the way to bomb-production in the longer-run.
Tehran says its atomic ambition are purely peaceful.
Israeli officials have long threatened last-ditch military action against Iran if they deem foreign diplomacy a dead-end.
