Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israeli news site Ynet reported that Steve Wittkopf, the US president’s envoy, held a lengthy meeting Tuesday afternoon, lasting approximately three and a half hours, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli security officials. This meeting was part of ongoing coordination efforts ahead of the anticipated negotiations between the United States and Iran. The meeting took place days before the talks are scheduled to begin next Friday in Istanbul, Turkey. This comes amidst escalating international concern regarding the future of Iran’s nuclear program and the related regional tensions.
According to the report, the heads of Israel’s security agencies presented Litkov with the latest intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear program, as well as its ballistic missile project. They also provided him with information concerning the killing of Iranian civilians, in what Israel described as grave violations committed by the Iranian regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also presented what he termed Israel’s “red lines” regarding any potential agreement with Iran. These include accepting zero uranium enrichment, surrendering its stockpile of approximately 450 kilograms of enriched uranium, halting the ballistic missile program, and ending Tehran’s support for its regional proxies. According to observers, this meeting reflects the extent of Israeli anxiety about the course of the upcoming negotiations. It also demonstrates Tel Aviv’s attempt to influence the American position before the negotiations begin, given the complexities of the nuclear and security landscape in the region.
