Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with US Secretary of
Defense Lloyd Austin on 15 June at the NATO summit in Brussels to
discuss Iran and other important aspects of the US-Israel
relationship, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Gallant discussed with Austin his claims that Iran stimulates
attacks against Israel using proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and
the West Bank, and reiterated Israels right to self-defense, the
Israeli paper said.
Before departing for Belgium, Gallant said he
would discuss with
Austin the implementation of the joint commitment of both our
countries to make sure Iran will never possess nuclear military
capabilities.
Israeli threats against Iran have intensified in recent months
amid unconfirmed reports that Washington is close to reaching an
interim or partial nuclear deal with Tehran through indirect talks
in Oman.
Israel opposes a US nuclear deal with Iran, while Iranian
officials have made clear they will only accept a full return to
the nuclear deal signed with the Obama administration in 2015. The
Trump administration withdrew from the deal, known as the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), unilaterally in 2018. The
JCPOA placed limits on Irans nuclear program in exchange for
sanctions relief.
Despite US negotiations with Iran, the US military has expanded
military cooperation with Israel this year and carried out
exercises viewed as veiled threats against Iran, such as the
Juniper Oak exercise in January.
The exercise involved 7,900
personnel, 142 combat aircraft, twelve warships, and activities
across all domains (sea, air, land, space, and cyber). The main
goals of the exercise were to improve interoperability and to
demonstrate the ability to surge forces into the region in the
event of war with Iran.
Reports emerged that the exercise simulated strikes on Iranian
nuclear facilities, though US officials denied this.
In March, Austin met with
Gallant in Israel. At the time, Austin said that although the Biden
administration continues to believe in diplomacy, it would not
allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Despite ongoing political differences between the Biden
administration and the Israeli government regarding Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahus proposed l...
