US tells Israel 2015 nuclear deal with Iran 'off the table': Report

United States is not looking to strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran, and any arrangement in consultation with international partners and allies is "off table," Hebrew newspaper Zman Yisrael reported on Wednesday, citing insider sources. Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid was informed about Iran nuclear deal hitting a delock by US President Joe Biden and or ministration officials. "This outcome is likely to be touted by Lapid in coming election campaign, particularly against opposition leer Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly attacked premier on issue," Times of Israel's sister publication reported. 

Tel Aviv has been 'pressurizing' US to scrap  deal

Since revival of dialogue related to Iran's 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in Vienna,  Tel Aviv has been pressurizing United States to scrap deal with rival nation whom it accuses of funding terr factions. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid told reporters in Israel that his government will continue to push Biden ministration to halt any signing of a nuclear deal with terror sponsor Iran. Israeli government h also dispatched its intelligence service Moss's chief David Barnea to Washington last month.

Barnea held discussions with  White House, CIA, and Pentagon officials about risks associated with revival of JCPOA agreement and sanctions relief to Tehran. Prime Minister Yair Lapid and or senior Israeli officials have been utmostly vocal about scrapping 2015 nuclear deal. “This deal isn’t a good deal. It was not a good deal when it was signed back in 2015. Today, dangers it entails are even greater,” Lapid said at a briefing last week. Biden's ministration kept Israel its longtime strategic ally "closely informed" about progress. 

Uranium Conversion Facility just outside city of Isfahan, Iran. Credit: AP

Israel accuses Iran of trying to make a nuclear bomb via enrichment of Uranium at its centrifuges. Iran however says that it agrees to return to strict compliance with JCPOA terms in exchange for economic benefits from deal. new Iranian nuclear deal has been at centre of Israel’s diplomatic and security consultations since over a year. negotiations resumed after Democrat president Biden entered White House in January 2021. Former US president Donald Trump h unilaterally pulled out of 2015 nuclear deal citing a breach of norms underscored in deal by Iranian government.