”There is another way, a better way forward for the Middle East. It is the path of the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum. A path based on a shared vision for the region. A vision not of war, extremism and terrorism but of peace, tolerance and cooperation,’’ said Yair Lapid during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

‘’A nuclear Iran will destabilize the Middle East, and create a nuclear arms race that will endanger the entire world,’’ said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid during a joint press conference Monday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

After talks with Scholz, Lapid said joint action should be taken to prevent Iran gaining nuclear weapons, saying that it would be wrong to try to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran.

‘’Returning to the nuclear agreement, under the current conditions, would be a critical mistake,’’ he said.

“”Removing sanctions and pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into Iran will bring waves of terrorism, not only to the Middle East, but also across Europe,’’ Lapid added.

He said that ‘’there is another way, a better way forward for the Middle East. It is the path of the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum. A path based on a shared vision for the region. A vision not of war, extremism and terrorism but of peace, tolerance and cooperation.’’

‘’Our hand is outstretched for peace, with all our neighbors. And it always will be,’’ he said.

Speaking to Lapid, Scholz said that European partners had made proposals and that there was no reason for Iran not to agree.

He said he regretted that Tehran had not responded positively in the nuclear talks.

“We remain patient, but we also remain clear: Iran must be prevented from being able to deploy nuclear weapons,” Scholz said.

The two leaders also spoke of German-Israeli cooperation on defense.

Lapid said that Israel would help build Germany’s new defense force, mainly with regard to air defense.