Israel Vows Not To Be Bound By Nuclear Deal, Ready To Escalate Confrontation With Iran

PM Israel Naftali Bennett. (Wikimedia Commons/Amit Agronov/Israeli Defence Forces Spokesperson's Unit.)

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett signaled readiness on Tuesday to escalate Israel's confrontation with Iran, reiterating his country will not be bound by Iran's new nuclear deal with world powers.

A new round of indirect negotiations will begin on November 29, planning to revive the 2015 Nuclear Deal between Iran and major world powers, with the United States pulling out in 2018 under former President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons, responded to the release of the United States and the sanctions imposed by expanding uranium enrichment. However, Prime Minister Bennett, who came to power last June, described Iran in a speech as being in the most advanced stages of its nuclear program.

While he previously said his government would be open to a new nuclear deal with tighter restrictions on Iran, Prime Minister Bennett reiterated Israel's autonomy to take action against its arch-foe.

"We are facing complicated times. It is possible that there will be disagreements with our best friends," he told a television conference organized by Reichman University, citing Reuters on Nov. 23.

"However, even if there is a re-deal, Israel is certainly not a party to the nuclear deal and Israel is not obligated by the deal," Prime Minister Bennett said.

PM Bennett voiced frustration with what he described as small-scale clashes between Israel and Iran's guerrilla ally.

"Iran has surrounded the State of Israel with missiles, while they are sitting safely in Tehran. Pursuing the terrorist du jour sent by the Qods Force (Iran's secret) is fruitless again. We have to find dispatchers," said PM Bennett.

Stopping a war that is explicitly threatening, PM Bennett said cyber technology and what he saw as Israel's gains as democracy and international support could be applied.

"Iran is much more vulnerable than is generally thought," he said.