Jake Sullivan meets Israeli PM and called for a “common strategy” on Iran nuclear talks
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan held detailed discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Iran’s nuclear program and other common issues in Jerusalem.
White House’s national security adviser said the United States and Israel need a “common strategy” as Israel remained concerned over Western talks in Vienna with Iran over its nuclear program. World powers and Iran renewed negotiations in Vienna last month to restore an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Israeli prime minister and other officials, Sullivan said that U.S. and Israel meet at a “critical juncture for both of our countries on a major set of security issues” and called for need to “develop a common strategy” that serves both their interests.
“It’s important that we sit together and develop a common strategy, a common outlook, and find a way forward that fundamentally secures your country’s interests and mine,” said Sullivan. “And we believe those interests, like the values upon which our countries are built, are deeply shared and deeply felt.”
Bennett said that “what happens in Vienna has profound ramifications for the stability of the Middle East and the security of Israel for the upcoming years.” Israeli official believe that Israel and the United States currently “don’t see eye to eye” on Iran’s nuclear program
Sullivan told Bennett that U.S. President Joe Biden sent him to Israel to coordinate and cooperate on their approach to Iran and other security issues. Sullivan also held meetings with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and foreign minister Yair Lapid.
“During the meeting, a variety of strategic and cooperative issues were discussed, chief among them the Iranian nuclear fight and Iran’s regional aggression,” Gantz’s office said.
