Israel reiterates demand that Iran\u2019s nuclear programme be dismantled after Tehran and Washington report positive third round.<\/p>\n
Iran has accused Israel of \u201cbrazenly\u201d trying to scupper negotiations as talks with the United States over Tehran\u2019s nuclear programme appear to be progressing.<\/p>\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was \u201cdictating what [US] President [Donald] Trump can and cannot do in his diplomacy with Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n
In response to a third round<\/a> of US-Iran negotiations that appeared to gather momentum in Oman over the weekend, Netanyahu reiterated demands that Iran\u2019s nuclear programme be entirely dismantled.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s fantasy that it can dictate what Iran may or may not do is so detached from reality that it hardly merits a response. <\/p>\n What is striking, however, is how brazenly Netanyahu is now dictating what President Trump can and cannot do in his diplomacy with Iran.\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Araghchi had earlier indicated \u201ccautious<\/a>\u201d optimism after Saturday\u2019s Omani-mediated talks with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.<\/p>\n The negotiations are aimed at ensuring Iran does not use its nuclear programme to develop weapons. In exchange, Tehran would receive relief from international sanctions.<\/p>\n A senior US official reported \u201cfurther progress\u201d had been made over the weekend, according to the Reuters news agency.<\/p>\n However, the talks have put Israel on alert. Netanyahu insisted late on Sunday that the only \u201cgood deal\u201d to emerge from the talks would be one that removed \u201call of [Iran\u2019s nuclear] infrastructure\u201d.<\/p>\n The Israeli leader, who has refused to rule out an attack on Iran\u2019s nuclear facilities, said he had told Trump that any nuclear agreement reached with Iran should also prevent Tehran from developing ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n Trump, who has threatened military action against Iran several times, said in an interview published on Friday that he thought a deal would happen. He added that while Netanyahu might \u201cgo into a war\u201d, the US was \u201cnot getting dragged in\u201d.<\/p>\n However, he warned the US might \u201cgo in very willingly if we can\u2019t get a deal\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t make a deal, I\u2019ll be leading the pack,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n IAEA talks in Iran<\/p>\n Trump pushed for new Iran nuclear talks<\/a> conducted under a \u201cmaximum pressure campaign\u201d after returning to office in January.<\/p>\n He unilaterally tore up a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the US, in 2018 during his first presidential term, after which Tehran went on to accelerate its enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade quality.<\/p>\n\n