US and Israel to establish joint team for sharing information on Iran

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The US and Israel have decided to establish a new joint team for sharing intelligence about Iran’s nuclear program, the Times of Israel (ToI) reports. The decision to set up a team was made at a meeting led by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat last week, ToI reports.

A similar team was formed during the presidency of Barack Obama, but that initiative collapsed as the US worked to secure the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran deal, a course of action which Israel vehemently opposed.

The JCPOA provided for limits on Iran’s nuclear program, in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. In 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the treaty, and reimposed sanctions on Iran. US President Joe Biden has now said he is willing to rejoin the deal – if Iran complies with its treaty obligations. Iran has stated publicly that it has been enriching uranium in violation of JCPOA terms.

Israel remains opposed to the JCPOA and reportedly hopes sanctions imposed on Iran by the Trump administration will cause the Islamic regime to make concessions. Nevertheless, in regard to discussions about the new joint team, three senior Israeli officials have reportedly said Israel’s first aim is to be aligned with the Biden administration concerning intelligence on Iran.

Officials are understood to be satisfied with how talks have gone so far and a second meeting is planned for the coming weeks, ToI said.

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