Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat had phone talks with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan, discussing "the Iranian issue and several regional matters," according to Israeli media.
The Hebrew website "Walla" reported, citing Israeli officials, that "this is the first official conversation conducted by an Israeli official with an American counterpart since Joe Biden took office as President of the United States."
Israeli Channel (12) stated that the head of the Mossad intelligence agency, Yossi Cohen, will be the first Israeli official to meet with Biden and Burns after they assumed their positions last week, in addition to the participation of officials from the Israeli foreign and defense ministries. The Israeli officials are expected to present information gathered about the Iranian issue and will attempt, led by Cohen, to influence the Biden administration regarding the stalled nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement following Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday, expressing his expectation to work with President Biden to enhance peace between Israel and the Arab world and to confront common challenges, including the Iranian threat.
Israeli authorities have strongly opposed the agreement reached by former President Barack Obama’s administration and the major powers (the permanent members of the Security Council and Germany) with Iran regarding its nuclear program. In 2015, international powers and Iran reached an agreement concerning Iran's nuclear program that included reducing Iranian nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international economic sanctions imposed on it. However, former President Donald Trump officially announced in 2018 the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement with Iran, describing it as "disastrous" and reinstating sanctions on the country.
