Amid the current stalemate in the ongoing nuclear negotiations in Vienna, with diminishing hopes of reaching an agreement soon, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to visit Israel next week to discuss the Iranian nuclear file. According to reports, Sullivan will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
This anticipated visit comes at a time of pessimism surrounding the nuclear talks, which began their seventh round on November 29, 2021, yet have made little progress. The Iranian delegation has been accused by the United States and European nations of abandoning all agreements reached in the previous six rounds, demanding further concessions from the West.
Additionally, several reports over the past days confirmed that Tel Aviv, which has expressed dissatisfaction multiple times with the nuclear talks, believes they will yield no positive results and will only encourage Tehran to advance its nuclear program behind the scenes. Israel has devised scenarios for striking sites and facilities in Iran.
During a visit to Washington last week, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that his country is prepared to do whatever is necessary to confront Tehran and its nuclear program. Regarding the Vienna talks, he noted that the United States and European nations are well aware of what is happening, referencing the Iranian delegation's procrastination and additional demands.
He asserted that the Americans and Europeans are starting to lose patience, saying, "There has been no progress in the talks, and they realize that the Iranians are playing games." It is noteworthy that several European diplomats warned on Monday that time is running out for the nuclear negotiations. Senior diplomats from France, Britain, and Germany stated that the Western powers have yet to conduct real negotiations with Iran in the Austrian capital, cautioning that without rapid progress, the nuclear agreement will soon become "meaningless" in light of Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.
