During a trip to Paris on Tuesday, caretaker Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Yair Lapid urged the international community to work on a nuclear deal with Iran that is “more efficient and better defined,” doesn’t expire, and most importantly prevents it from becoming a nuclear power.
In a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Lapid pointed out that Tehran is violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), continuing to develop its nuclear programme by hiding information, enriching uranium beyond permissible levels, and removing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cameras.
Given all this, the world must respond.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 5, 2022
Any place that terrorism is found, Iran is never far away. A few days ago, Iranian-made UAVs tried to attack an Israeli gas rig near the Lebanese coast. pic.twitter.com/WoocZlgN5A
“The current situation cannot continue as it is. It will lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, which would threaten world peace,” Lapid stressed. In this respect, Macron agreed with Lapid that the current nuclear deal with Iran “will not be enough to contain Iran’s destabilising activities,” expressing regret that Tehran refuses to conclude the latest “good agreement” offered following the resumption of talks between the United States (US) and Iran in Doha.
In June, the IAEA accused Iran of withholding information regarding the storage of nuclear material at several locations, noting that its stockpile of enriched uranium had increased by 15 times to the level prescribed in the 2015 nuclear agreement. In retaliation, Iran dismantled 27 IAEA cameras in nuclear facilities across the country and even threatened to stop cooperating with the agency entirely. To which, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi called it a “fatal blow,” saying that Iran had roughly four weeks to return to compliance before matters get out of hand.
However, in later June, Iran dropped its longstanding demand of removing sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after resuming negotiations with the US on reviving the JCPOA, which was one of the reasons for the stalled talks.
EN DIRECT | Déclaration conjointe du Président @EmmanuelMacron et du Premier ministre de l’État d’Israël @YairLapid. https://t.co/QHsjMJW1Ox
— Élysée (@Elysee) July 5, 2022
After former US President Donald Trump pulled out from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018, the nuclear talks between Iran, the E3 (comprising the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany), and the US came to a standstill.
However, Macron emphasised that “we are going to pursue, in close coordination with our partners, all efforts to try to bring Iran to its senses,” adding that a nuclear Iran would be “more dangerous” to the region.
Israeli officials believe that the European powers are tougher on Iran than the US, which appears to be why Lapid chose to visit France for his first trip abroad as leader. To this end, Lapid reportedly used the visit as an opportunity to address that Tehran should not be allowed to delay deliberations. “We expect that there will be some end to these never-ending talks,” a senior official told The Times of Israel.
However, following a two-hour meeting with Macron, Lapid told reporters, “The Americans and Europeans think there will not be an agreement with Iran.” He added that if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal, “then nothing will happen unless there is a credible military threat.” Lapid also argued that snapback sanctions should be initiated against Iran.
Lapid also spoke of the terrorist threat Iran poses, referring to plots to attack Israeli tourists in Turkey.
Additionally, Lapid spoke about Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacking the Karish gas rig near the Lebanese coast, which were shot down by the Israel Defence Forces earlier this week. He claimed that Hezbollah was behind the attack, which has over 100,000 rockets aimed at Israel, and asserted that the terrorist organisation threatens Lebanon’s stability and is pushing towards a “dangerous escalation.”
Israel PM Lapid will tell French president Macron that Hezbollah endangers Lebanon's security and stability and it's attack on Karish gas rig not just jeopardize the activities of the rig - but the possibility of negotiations on the maritime border
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) July 5, 2022
“Israel will not sit back and do nothing, given these repeated attacks,” Lapid declared. He also showed Macron intelligence on how Hezbollah is endangering French and Lebanese interests. In response, Macron stated that Israel and Lebanon should “avoid” any actions that would threaten Beirut’s stability.
Israel and Lebanon have been involved in a decade-long maritime border dispute over an 860 square kilometre (sq km.) triangle in the Mediterranean Sea. The two committed to US-mediated negotiations but talks broke down in 2021 after Lebanon demanded that the area be increased to 2,300 sq km to include the northern end of the Karish gas field.
“We want the French president to use his connections to make clear to the Lebanese government we intend to complete the negotiations,” a senior Israeli official revealed on Monday before the two leaders’ meeting, but also said that it won’t happen under Hezbollah threats. “Hezbollah should not play with fire,” the official added, warning that attacking a gas rig “could be a very dangerous act.”
As per the official, the Karish rig is supposed to produce gas for the European Union as well, since the bloc is trying to reduce its dependency on Russian energy sources following the Ukraine war.
Lapid to tell Macron: Hezbollah should not play with fire https://t.co/TgqDdCvRci
— Lahav Harkov (@LahavHarkov) July 5, 2022
In addition, Macron pointed out that Israel has “no alternative” to resuming talks with Palestine. “I know how much history you can make by reviving a process that’s been down for too long,” he stressed, adding that Lapid is “someone who can take up this challenge.” However, the Israeli PM later told reporters: “The government make-up remains what it is and the limitations remain what they are,” adding that France has “a full understanding of this,” although their questions were “totally legitimate.” That being said, Lapid did not rule out meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Though Lapid supports a two-state solution with the Palestinians, he is not in a position to undertake any major diplomatic initiatives in his interim role.
Meanwhile, the two leaders also touched on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lapid said, “This past year, with the war in Ukraine and the terrorism from Iran… Sometimes there is no choice but to use the force of war to protect peace,” adding, “France is going to strengthen its army, and we have a lot to contribute on this front.”
In fact, relations between Israel and Russia have also deteriorated due to recent Israeli remarks condemning Russian atrocities in Bucha and Israel’s decision to send non-lethal weapons to Ukraine. This also led to Russia firing anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli fighter jets in northwestern Syria for the first time back in April. It also demanded an “unconditional” end to Israeli airstrikes on Syria this week.
The talks between Lapid and Macron come against the backdrop of the Israeli parliament being dissolved last week to pave the way for elections on November 1, the fifth in a span of just three years. Lapid was appointed as caretaker PM to oversee a smooth transition to the vote.