As a nuclear deal with Iran appears to be drawing closer, Israel is growing more nervous that the international community may settle for a pact that leaves the Islamic Republic with the ability to quickly assemble nuclear weapons.

“Also in the past two weeks despite the public’s justifiable attention on the kidnappings, we have continued to follow and deal with the Iran issue that is our future fate,” Minister of Strategic Affairs Yuval Steinitz said in an Israel Radio interview.

All the effort is to make sure that then when there will be an agreement – if there will be an agreement –  it will be a good one or at least a reasonable one. An agreement that will not allow Iran to remain an almost-nuclear country. An agreement that will be according the model, closer to the model used in Syria and Libya where there was dismantling, including the (nuclear related) machines … dismantling of the centrifuges…
We think the agreement has to be based not just on oversight, but on dismantling of infrastructure. And I hope that this will be the final result. I can’t guarantee this (outcome). We are making every effort to explain and convince on this.

Highlighting the deep concern was Israel’s decision to recall Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer back to Jerusalem for two days of consultations on the issue. Visiting in Washington, Israel’s President Shimon Peres told President Barack Obama that “it is preferable to have no agreement with Iran rather than an agreement that leaves Iran on the verge of a nuclear weapon.”

[Photo: Ambassador Ron Dermer – Israel MFA Photo]