Israeli leader Naftali Bennett talks to Joe Biden about Syria raid that killed Islamic State leader
- Bennett congratulated Biden for last week’s raid in Syria that killed Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the Israeli premier’s office announced
- Bennett and Biden also discussed Iranian military activity across the Middle East and efforts to block Iran’s nuclear programme, Bennett’s office said
In a phone call with the president, Naftali Bennett told Biden that “the world is now a safer place thanks to the courageous operation of the US forces,” his office said.
Bennett and Biden also discussed Iranian military activity across the Middle East and efforts to block Iran’s nuclear programme, it said.
Israel and Iran are arch-enemies, and Israel has raised vocal concerns about US-led efforts to revive the 2015 international nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
The deal unravelled after former US President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018. Israel objected to the initial deal and believes any attempts to restore it will not include sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. Israel also says any deal should address Iranian military activity across the region as well as its development of long-range missiles capable of striking Israel.
Earlier on Sunday, Bennett said Israel is closely watching world powers’ negotiations with Iran in Vienna, but reiterated his position that Israel is not bound by any agreement reached by them. Israel has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if it believes it is necessary to halt the country’s nuclear programme. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.