Sunday, August 28, 2022

PM Lapid said in talks to meet Biden as new Iran nuclear accord looms

Israel and the US are looking to set up a meeting between Prime Minister Yair Lapid and US President Joe Biden next month, as Washington appears nearer to signing onto a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran, according to a Saturday report.

Kan news cited a senior Israeli official as saying the idea is to schedule a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s annual session. A potential date is September 20, after Biden addresses the UNGA, the unnamed official said.

The report said the two leaders are also expected to speak on the phone in the coming days, a report also carried by the Ynet news site, which cited a senior American source.

Meanwhile, continuing his US visit, Defense Minister Benny Gantz told the heads of leading Washington think tanks Saturday that “improvements are necessary” in the emerging new nuclear deal with Iran.

“Iran has gained knowledge, infrastructure and capabilities” in recent years, Gantz said, “much of which is irreversible.” READ MORE