Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday his demand that Iran’s entire nuclear infrastructure be dismantled, as the United States and Iran continue their negotiations for a nuclear agreement. These talks, which have so far included three rounds of indirect discussions mediated by Oman, aim to secure a deal that would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while also lifting the severe economic sanctions imposed by Washington.
Following recent discussions in Rome, Oman announced that both the U.S. and Iran are working toward an agreement that would leave Tehran “completely free” of nuclear weapons and sanctions, but still allow it to develop peaceful nuclear energy. Netanyahu, however, insisted that the only acceptable agreement would be one that removes “all of the infrastructure” of Iran’s nuclear program, referencing the 2003 deal in which Libya agreed to give up its nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile programs. He emphasized that Israel could only accept a deal that entirely eliminates Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium, arguing that anything less would allow Iran to bide its time and resume its nuclear ambitions in the future.
Netanyahu also stated that Iran’s ballistic missile production must be addressed in any agreement. He said he had communicated this position directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and that he remains in close contact with the United States on the issue. Netanyahu warned that a “bad deal is worse than no deal,” and reiterated Israel’s longstanding commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and has declared its right to enrich uranium to be non-negotiable. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed confidence that Tehran could resist any attempts to undermine its foreign policy or dictate its actions, and he hoped that his American counterparts would show similar resolve. Araqchi also warned that any attack on Iran would be met with immediate retaliation.
Despite U.S. reluctance to support a military strike, Israel has not ruled out attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, according to sources familiar with the matter. Netanyahu reiterated to Trump that any nuclear agreement should also prevent Iran from developing ballistic missiles. An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran views its missile program as a major sticking point in the talks with the United States.
In 2024, Iran attacked Israel with drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles in response to Israeli strikes that killed Iranian generals and officials from allied groups. Netanyahu concluded by affirming that Israel is in close contact with the United States, but stressed, “one way or the other, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” referencing a conversation he had with Trump at a conference organized by the Jewish News Syndicate.
