The 2018 decision by Donald Trump’s administration to abandon Iran’s nuclear deal may have been sound, but it failed to achieve any practical goals.
Despite the heavy sanctions imposed on him, the Islamic Republic did not accept Trump’s demands. In fact, Iran’s official situation hardened.
It is now producing more enriched uranium to an almost military level, it has increased missile capabilities, following efforts to deploy its forces in Syria and allow the Revolutionary Guards their colonial aspirations in the Middle East.
On the other hand, if Trump had not withdrawn from the 2015 international bankruptcy agreement with Iran, there would now be no opportunity to negotiate the nuclear agreement.
Prior to his inauguration, US President Joe Biden spoke about the need to develop the agreement with Tehran and pledged to permanently ban Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, ending its missile project and halt his capture efforts in Syria.
Iran, for its part, issued pre-orders for renewed talks with the United States, and called for the sanctions imposed by Trump to be lifted.
Biden launched a major diplomatic effort to bring the Iranians back into talks without lifting sanctions. It won support from European partners and even pictorial agreement from Russia.
Tehran’s views on this move must be seen in the context of Iran’s major elections expected this year. The ayatollahs may expect the U.S. to return from its demands, but that is unlikely to happen.
Biden and his secretary of state Antony Blinken have not harmed Israel’s interests by reaching out to Iran, but as any renegotiation of the nuclear treaty touches Israel’s life, it is crucial that Jerusalem will be present for discussions on the matter.
This would have been possible despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staunch support for the Republican Party and Trump, if the Israeli government had only been wise enough to coordinate with the Democratic president on the best way forward.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-US President Donald Trump will meet at a White House meeting in 2019
(Photo: Reuters)
While it is clear that he took time to pick up a phone to speak to Netanyahu, Biden is not one to hold political protests. He is a true friend to Israel and more aware of its security concerns and needs.
All Israeli presidents need a sensible, factual and science-based position paper that includes practical steps, and this could easily be prepared by Israeli experts in the field. .