Iran’s Larijani Accuses Israel of Sabotaging US Talks
Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, has recently made serious allegations against Israel. He accused Israel of sabotaging negotiations between Iran and the United States concerning Iran’s nuclear program. According to Larijani, these actions are motivated by Israel’s intention to provoke war and destabilize the region.
Accusations of Sabotage against Israel
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic while visiting Doha, Qatar, Larijani expressed his concerns about Israel’s interference in the delicate nuclear talks. He stated, “Our negotiations are exclusively with the United States – we are not engaged in any talks with Israel.” Despite this clarity, Larijani believes Israel is attempting to disrupt the negotiations and further escalate tensions in the region.
Israel’s Regional Strategy
Larijani outlined that Israel’s strategy extends beyond its immediate concerns about Iran. He referenced an attack on Qatari soil targeting Hamas officials in September as evidence of Israel’s destabilizing agenda. He warned regional leaders, urging them to recognize the threats posed by Israel to not just Iran but also to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.
Recent Developments in Negotiations
- Iran and the US held indirect negotiations in Muscat, Oman.
- These discussions aim to resolve the ongoing nuclear dispute.
- Simultaneously, tensions escalated with a US military buildup in the region.
During this time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington for urgent discussions with President Trump. Netanyahu presented principles for negotiating with Iran, but Trump later indicated that no concrete decisions were made, stating the importance of continuing negotiations.
Nuclear Issues and Missiles
Lariijani emphasized that Iran would limit negotiations strictly to its nuclear program. He clarified that topics like Iran’s missile program, which is of concern to the US and Israel, would not be part of discussions. “Our missile program stands entirely separate from the nuclear one,” he said.
Additionally, Larijani dismissed the idea of reducing uranium enrichment to zero, which he deemed impractical. He stressed the necessity of enriched uranium for peaceful civilian purposes, such as cancer treatment, while remaining open to verification of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Possible US Military Action
Larijani warned that if the US decided to attack, similar to the previous strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Tehran would retaliate by targeting US military bases in the region.
Meetings with Regional Leaders
Before concluding his visit to Doha, Larijani met with Muhammad Darwish, the head of Hamas’s Leadership Council. This meeting focused on the latest political developments in the region, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
