Iran’s Larijani accuses Israel of trying to sabotage US negotiations | Nuclear Weapons News
Iran Accuses Israel of Sabotaging Nuclear Talks with U.S.
DOHA, Qatar — Iran’s national security chief, Ali Larijani, has accused Israel of seeking to derail negotiations with the United States concerning Tehran’s nuclear program. This statement, made during an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, comes amid a delicate phase of the discussions.
Larijani, who serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, expressed concerns that Israel is fabricating reasons to disrupt the ongoing talks with Washington. He emphasized that Iran’s negotiations are strictly with the United States, asserting, “We are not engaged in any talks with Israel.” He further accused Israel of attempting to undermine these discussions.
“Their goal is to destabilize the region,” Larijani stated, suggesting that Israel’s actions extend beyond its professed worries about Iran. He noted a recent attack in Doha, which targeted Hamas officials and indicated a broader agenda.
Larijani warned that Israel’s actions threaten not only Iran but also neighboring countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. “They are gambling not only with Iran, but also with the stability of the entire region,” he remarked, urging regional leaders to remain vigilant.
The tensions have escalated following Israel’s military actions against Iran in June, which reportedly disrupted previous negotiations between Iran and the United States.
On Friday, indirect negotiations were held in Muscat, Oman, as both nations seek to address their ongoing nuclear dispute. This development occurs alongside heightened U.S. military presence in the region and continued threats from former President Donald Trump regarding potential military action against Iran if demands are unmet.
In light of these ongoing discussions, Larijani mentioned that timing for a second round of talks is currently under review. He also noted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, where he presented proposals for negotiating with Iran to Trump.
After their meeting, Trump stated that “nothing definitive” had been accomplished, though he stressed the importance of continuing negotiations with Iran.
Larijani indicated that Tehran has yet to receive a specific offer from Washington, revealing that much of the dialogue had consisted of exchanging messages. He described Tehran’s stance as positive and noted a shared interest in ensuring Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon.
While he confirmed there is common ground regarding Iran’s commitment against nuclear weapons, Larijani reiterated that the discussions would be confined to Iran’s nuclear program. He ruled out any negotiation regarding Iran’s missile program and the demand to cease uranium enrichment, asserting these matters fall outside the scope of the current talks.
“Reducing uranium enrichment to zero is not on the table,” he said, citing the need for enriched uranium for various civilian applications, including medical purposes.
Larijani warned that if the U.S. were to launch attacks against Iran, similar to those executed in June, Tehran would retaliate by targeting U.S. military bases in the region.
Before concluding his visit to Doha, Larijani met with Muhammad Darwish, head of Hamas’s Leadership Council, discussing the latest political developments regarding Israel’s conflict with Gaza.
