“The UK wants to see the negotiations in Vienna lead to full restoration of the JCPOA, but that we need Iran to engage in good faith.,’’ Johnson said in a reference tot he 2015 nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran.

 

‘’The diplomatic door is open, but time is running out to reach an agreement,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a conversation with his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett on the Vienna nuclear talks which resumed last Monday.

The two leaders ‘’discussed the importance of continued bilateral coordination in order to achieve common goals,’’ said Bennett’s office.

“The UK wants to see the negotiations in Vienna lead to full restoration of the JCPOA, but that we need Iran to engage in good faith.,’’ Johnson said in a reference tot he 2015 nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran.

Earlier this week Israeli Foreign Minister Lapid also related to the resumption of the talks in Vienna. He said, “Israel isn’t automatically opposed to every agreement with Iran, just to an agreement that isn’t good.”

Lapid noted that Israel has been holding consultations with the US and the other world powers to influence the wording of the agreement. Lapid said: “We are sitting at the table with the world powers and are holding discussions about what a good agreement would be. The world is attentive to the Israeli position. We are currently engaged in trench warfare to secure small achievements to improve the agreement.”

The head of the IDF Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, told the security cabinet meeting on Sunday that Israel would be better off were Iran and the JCPOA signatories to reach an agreement. According to him, an agreement would increase certainty about the restrictions over their nuclear programme. It would also buy time for Israel to better prepare for a potential military strike.

In the same cabinet meeting, Mossad Director David Barnea argued Israel still has time to influence the US over the terms of a deal. He was quoted in Israeli media saying: “It isn’t a lost cause, and it’s worth investing time and effort in dialogue with the Americans about the content of the agreement.”

Israel has expressed concern that a limited deal, referred to as “less for less,’’ whereby Iran would only freeze the progress made in uranium enrichment (but not give it up) in return for the lifting of sanctions, would allow Iran to bank their progress and receive a huge financial reward.