“Iran International” published this evening (Thursday) the list of “concessions” that the United States allegedly agreed to give to Iran during the talks in Vienna. According to the report, the list is circulated in circles close to the Raisi administration. The list, as published, states that the agreement will be implemented within 120 days, and will result in a prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States.
According to the report, the list includes the lowering of sanctions on 17 banks, the immediate settlement of Iranian assets in South Korea, with an estimated value of 7 billion dollars, and the easing of sanctions on 150 institutions. In addition, the sale of 50 million barrels of oil in 120 days, the immediate cancellation of three presidential orders from the time of former American President Donald Trump, and the exclusion of foreign companies from sanctions in the event of the withdrawal of the United States were included.
In Israel, they express fear of last-minute concessions in the nuclear agreement. A senior political official said today that Prime Minister Yair Lapid is holding a round of talks with senior European and American officials and conveying to them the message that it is time to leave the nuclear talks after the latest Iranian conduct and its response to the European Union’s proposal. In addition, next week the head of the National Assembly, Eyal Hulta, will go to the United States for talks regarding the agreement.
Towards a nuclear agreement Israel is afraid of last-minute concessions in the agreement with Iran – the head of the MLA will fly to the US for a round of meetings#The evening news @gilicohen10 pic.twitter.com/6ic2vzEqZl
— here news (@kann_news) August 18, 2022
The words of the senior political official come after a discussion held today by Prime Minister Lapid with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as well as senior officials in the defense establishment, regarding Israel’s preparations for the possibility of signing an agreement between Iran and the powers.
In Israel, they recognize the approach of a nuclear agreement with Iran. Following the change of position – the Prime Minister will hold a preparatory discussion on the issue with the Minister of Defense and the alternate Prime Minister tomorrow. Despite this, according to a political source, there are still gaps between the powers and Iran – mainly on the issue of the IAEA investigation files@gilicohen10 #The evening news pic.twitter.com/oVAbRRlPWx
— here news (@kann_news) August 17, 2022
According to the senior official, the proposal submitted by the European Union is not consistent with the commitments given by the Americans. “Iran refused the offer, so it’s time to get up and leave,” said the senior official. “Anything else sends a strong message of weakness. Now is the time to sit down and talk about what to do next to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.”
The same political official also mentioned the point of contention regarding the open investigation files at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the latest report by the IAEA on the subject. It should be noted that in recent days Israel claimed that Iran’s answer to the EU proposal was “yes, but” and not a complete refusal.
Meanwhile, Lapid has already discussed the issue with German Chancellor Olaf Schulz, American Congressman Ted Deutsch and US Ambassador to Israel Tom Neides, and is expected to hold further talks.