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Theresa May and Netanyahu talks revealed
May shares Netanyahu’s concerns on Iran but added that the UK is committed to maintaining the nuclear deal
November 5, 2017 15:05
May shares Netanyahu’s concerns on Iran but added that the UK is committed to maintaining the nuclear deal
November 5, 2017 15:05Theresa May has confirmed Britain’s commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal struck between Iran and six world powers in a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Haaretz reporter Barak Ravid released details of the talks between Mr Netanyahu and Mrs May during his visit to the UK celebrating 100 years since the Balfour Declaration.
Transcripts from the meeting between the prime ministers provide an insight into what the pair think on foreign policy issues, including Iran, Russia and America's plans for peace in the Middle East.
Mr Ravid tweeted: "May told Netanyahu she shares his concerns on Iran but added that the UK is committed to maintaining the nuclear deal."
Mr Netanyahu told Mrs May that he thought it was good that US President Donald Trump had "shaken things up" on Iran.
In October Trump unveiled a tough new policy toward the Islamic Republic.
He threatened to pull out of the deal, freezing and reversing Iran's nuclear program if Congress and US allies did not agree to strengthen it.
Mr Trump accused Iran of violating the agreement, despite the fact that America's European allies and even his own government say that Tehran is complying with the 2015 deal.
Mrs May told Mr Netanyahu: "What Trump did on Iran only made things more difficult and complicated.”
She told him that she shares his concerns on Iran but the UK is committed to maintaining the nuclear deal.
She suggested the two countries steer clear of the nuclear deal and move forward by focusing on other Iran related issues such as terrorism.
According to Mr Ravid's tweets, “Netanyahu said he thinks things can be done ‘around the deal’ on ballistic missiles, enforcement & the ‘Sunset clause’.
“Netanyahu told May [the] 'most important thing is that we stay united on Iran & work together.'"
He asked Mrs May what could be done to separate Iran and its close ally Russia, mainly on Syria.
1 \ I published tonight on channel 10 transcripts from the Netanyahu-Theresa May meeting. Watch here (Hebrew) https://t.co/b7MMIwLmlW
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) November 3, 2017
According to Mr Ravid’s tweets May replied: “You tell me—Israel is one of the closest countries to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin today. Much more than the UK”.
Mr Ravid wrote: “Netanyahu told May, separating Putin from Iran will be hard but not impossible due to diverging regional interests."
9 \ May replied: "You tell me – Israel is one of the closet countries to Putin today. Much more than the UK"
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) November 3, 2017
When it came to Israel and peace with the Palestinians Mrs May asked Mr Netanyahu what he knew of Mr Trump's peace initiative.
“Netanyahu replied: ‘I don't know what peace plan Trump is about to present and I am not sure anybody knows. I am in 'wait and see' mode,’” wrote Mr Ravid.
He said Mr Netanyahu expected Mr Trump to present his peace plan by the end of 2017 or in early 2018.
Mr Netanyahu told Mrs May “he was happy that Trump and his aides brought a fresh out of the box approach to the Israeli-Palestinian issue,” according to Mr Ravid.
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