Netanyahu insists Iran's entire nuclear program must be dismantled

JERUSALEM,— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his demand on Sunday for the dismantling of Iran’s entire nuclear infrastructure, as the United States and Iran continue indirect negotiations over a nuclear agreement.

So far, the U.S. and Iran have held three rounds of talks, mediated by Oman, aiming to reach a deal that would prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons while also easing the stringent economic sanctions imposed by Washington.

After discussions in Rome earlier this month, Oman announced that both nations were pursuing an agreement that would leave Tehran free of nuclear weapons and sanctions but still able to develop peaceful nuclear energy.

Netanyahu asserted that any agreement worth pursuing must involve the complete removal of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, referring to the 2003 agreement between Libya and the West in which Libya abandoned its nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile programs.

Israeli officials have consistently vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a stance Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, commented on Monday that Tehran was confident it could withstand efforts to undermine its foreign policy or impose external demands on its actions. He also expressed hope that U.S. officials would show similar resolve.

“What is surprising,” Araqchi wrote on social media, “is how openly Netanyahu is now dictating to President Trump about what can and cannot be done in U.S.-Iran diplomacy.” Araqchi also warned that any attack on Iran would be met with an immediate response.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump telling Netanyahu that the U.S. is currently unwilling to support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Israeli officials have not ruled out military action in the coming months.

Sources familiar with the matter said the U.S. had expressed reluctance to back such an operation, Reuters reported on April 19.

Speaking in Jerusalem late Sunday, Netanyahu said that during his discussions with Trump, he emphasized that any nuclear deal with Iran should also include measures to prevent Tehran from developing ballistic missiles.

An Iranian official revealed earlier this month that Tehran views its missile program as a key obstacle in the ongoing talks with the U.S.

In April and October 2024, Iran carried out drone and missile strikes against Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian officials and their proxies.

“We are in close communication with the United States. But I told Trump, one way or another, Iran will not get nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said during a conference hosted by the Jewish News Syndicate.

(With files from Reuters)