Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday he spoke with US President Joe Biden and discussed ways to halt Iran's nuclear program.
Israel has raised vocal concerns about US-led efforts to revive the 2015 international nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
The deal unraveled after President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018. Israel objected to the initial deal and believes any attempts to restore it will not include sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. Israel also says any deal should address Iranian military activity across the region as well as its development of long-range missiles capable of striking Israel.
Earlier Sunday, Bennett said Israel is closely watching world powers' negotiations with Iran in Vienna, but reiterated his position that Israel is not bound by any agreement reached by them. Israel has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if it believes it is necessary to halt the country's nuclear program.
“Anyone who thinks such an agreement will increase stability is wrong,” Bennett told his Cabinet early Sunday. “Israel reserves its right to act in any case, with or without an agreement.”
The US and Israeli leaders also spoke about Russia-Ukraine tensions and Bennett said he had congratulated Biden on the US raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Quraishi.
Bennett said in a statement that he thanked Biden for his support of Israel and invited him to visit.
