Israel’s Lapid discusses Iran nuclear deal with Biden

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid discussed Iran’s nuclear deal with US President Joe Biden Wednesday, as the Jewish state makes concerted efforts to block a return to the 2015 accord.

Israel has long opposed a revival of the deal, which was left hanging by a thread when then US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions on Tehran, AFP reports.

With momentum building to restore the agreement, Israel has waged a last-minute push to convince allies to halt talks.

This campaign has seen its defence minister and security adviser both visit Washington, and its spy chief is due to do so next week.

Lapid and Biden “spoke at length about the negotiations on a nuclear agreement, and the various efforts to stop Iran’s progress towards a nuclear weapon”, a statement from the premier’s office said.

The two also discussed regional developments including “Iran’s terrorist activity in the Middle East and beyond”, the statement added.

“In this context, the Prime Minister commended the President on the United States’ most recent strikes in Syria,” where the regime in Damascus receives backing from Tehran.