PM Bennett Affirms Not Bound By Nuclear Deal: Israel Is Free To Act Without Restrictions

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

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday, Israel will not be bound by the nuclear deal with Iran, continuing to consider itself free to act without restrictions against its arch-foe if necessary.

Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on salvaging the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal resumed last week in Vienna. France's foreign minister said on Friday that progress had been made, although time was running out.

Iran refuses to meet face-to-face with US officials, meaning the other side will have to bridge communications between the two sides. The United States has repeatedly expressed frustration at this format, saying it slows the process, and Western officials still suspect Iran is just playing with time.

"With regard to the nuclear talks in Vienna, we are really concerned. Israel is not a party to the agreement," PM Bennett said in public remarks at a briefing for parliamentary committees.

"Israel is not bound by what will be written in the agreement, if signed, and Israel will continue to maintain complete freedom to act anywhere at any time, without restrictions," he stressed.

Israel has called on world powers to maintain credible military options against Iran while they pursue a deal.

To note, some experts have questioned whether Israel, itself, has the military capability to stop what it says is Iran's search for nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, the Iranian government from the beginning has always denied that they are looking for atomic weapons. In the latest round of talks, Tehran focused on one side of the original deal, lifting sanctions against it, despite little progress in curbing its atomic activities.