The Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom and Israel confirmed that they will work "day and night" to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, as they signed a ten-year plan described as historic to deepen relations between the two countries. British Foreign Minister Liz Truss and her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid outlined the new "memorandum of understanding" in a joint article published in The Telegraph, which will be signed on Monday. This agreement will allow the UK and Israel to work closely on issues such as cybersecurity, technology development, defense, trade, and science.
A source in the British Foreign Office mentioned that Israel will become one of the UK's most trusted allies in thwarting cyber attacks, and talks regarding a trade deal are expected to begin early next year. The ministers stated that "democracy rooted in freedom, which empowers citizens with the opportunity to innovate, create, and achieve their dreams, is the best form of government."
In their joint article, both parties reiterated their commitment to preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as UK negotiators join other signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in resuming talks in Vienna. Lapid headed to Europe on Sunday to hold discussions with British and French leaders ahead of the anticipated resumption of talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
In line with the expected resumption of negotiations in Vienna, Lapid is set to meet British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London on Monday and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday. Remaining partners in the agreement—Iran, China, Russia, Germany, France, and Britain—will meet directly, while an American delegation will participate indirectly in the talks hosted in the Austrian capital. Following a year after Washington's withdrawal, Iran began to roll back its commitments in the agreement.
