by Jerusalem Post Staff
Trump sent a message to Iran overnight stating that he would prefer Iran to sign an agreement, while also warning that an additional naval armada was moving toward the region.
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Israel is assessing reports that the United States and Iran are holding discreet contacts and that Washington has presented preconditions for possible negotiations on a new nuclear agreement, according to a Wednesday report from N12.
Israeli officials have expressed concern over the possibility of an agreement they view as unfavorable.
US President Donald Trump sent a message to Iran overnight stating that he would prefer Iran to sign an agreement, while also warning that an additional naval armada was moving toward the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue during a press conference on Tuesday evening. He warned that if Iran were to attack Israel, Israel would respond with force “Iran has never seen.” Netanyahu also said the United States remains in continuous contact with Israel, adding that decisions regarding US policy rest with Trump.
According to the report, the United States is currently conducting a large-scale military exercise in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, while continuing to build up forces in the region. The exercise includes air, naval, and air-defense drills and is being carried out in coordination with other countries operating alongside US forces.
According to Israeli assessments, US preconditions for negotiations include the return of nuclear inspectors, the removal of enriched uranium, and limitations on Iran’s missile program. The report noted that Israeli officials view these conditions as insufficient. Israel has also indicated it is not aware of a specific US timeline for possible military action against Iran.
Additionally, this week, The New York Times reported that President Trump recently received new intelligence briefings indicating that the Iranian regime is at its weakest point since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The assessments state that protest activity has spread to segments of the Iranian population previously considered strongholds of support for the regime in Tehran.
The intelligence briefings came as the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln entered the area of responsibility of the US Central Command. The carrier’s presence, in theory, allows a strike on Iran within days. US strategic bombers in the United States are also reported to be at a heightened level of readiness.
Trump admin. 'ready to do business with Iran,' senior US official says
Additionally, on Monday, a senior US official told reporters that the Trump administration is "ready to do business with Iran."
"We are open for business. The [Islamic Republic's regime] knows our number if they want to get in touch with us," the official said.
Iran "knows the terms [of a potential deal,] and these are the same terms that have been presented since the Trump administration took office," the official added.
The White House's conditions for a deal have been communicated to Tehran many times in the last year, they noted.
"They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk."
James Genn and Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
Jerusalem Post Staff
Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-884786
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