TEHRAN: Iran on Monday accused Israel of attempting to sabotage its ongoing negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program—an issue that has long been a flashpoint between Tehran and the West.
“There is a coalition taking shape aimed at derailing the diplomatic process,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei during a press briefing, directly blaming Israel for leading the effort.
He further claimed that “warmongering elements” within the U.S., from various political factions, are also playing a role in trying to disrupt the talks.
The comments follow a recent New York Times report stating that former U.S. President Donald Trump had advised Israel to hold off on any immediate strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that Israel will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
While Western nations and Israel—widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East—have long suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear arms, Tehran has repeatedly denied the allegation, asserting that its nuclear activities are purely for civilian use.
In 2018, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, which had offered Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. A year after the withdrawal, Iran began to scale back its commitments under the deal, most notably by enriching uranium beyond the agreed limits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran is enriching uranium up to 60%—approaching the 90% level required for weapons-grade material—and continues to stockpile significant amounts of fissile material. The 2015 deal had capped enrichment at 3.67%.
Amid rising tensions, Iran and the U.S.—rivals since the 1979 Islamic Revolution—are preparing for a third round of nuclear talks, with Oman acting as a mediator.
