Steve Witkoff stated that Washington ‘prefers diplomacy' in handling Iran, coinciding with an aircraft carrier group heading to West Asia
News Desk - The Cradle
Barnea’s visit is part of ongoing talks between Tel Aviv and Washington over the “regime’s crackdown,” according to a report by Axios.
The Israeli spy chief is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami. Witkoff has been in touch with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Axios.
The visit comes after a phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.
“During the call, Netanyahu asked Trump to hold off on military action against Iran to give Israel more time to prepare for potential Iranian retaliation,” sources told the US outlet.
“In addition to concerns about retaliation, the current US plan includes strikes on security force targets in Iran, but is not seen by Israel as strong enough to meaningfully destabilize the regime.”
CNN has reported that Israel asked the US to hold off on attacking, citing “fears” of overstretched missile defenses.
Axios claims that Araghchi has reached out to Witkoff to propose a meeting.
“The Israeli government is concerned the Iranians will use such negotiations to buy time and relief from the US pressure. On the other hand, some officials think the current crisis could convince the Iranian regime to make concessions it refused to consider in the past, on the nuclear program, missile program, and proxy groups,” Axios reports.
Earlier this week, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that communication channels with the US were open, but vowed that Tehran would “not accept dictates.”
On Thursday, Witkoff claimed, during an onstage interview at the Israeli-American Council conference in Florida, that Washington prefers a diplomatic solution to the situation in Iran.
He said any deal with Iran would have to address four issues: uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles, stockpiles of already enriched uranium, and resistance groups across the region backed by Tehran – referred to by Witkoff as “proxies.”
He also claimed Iran could be willing to compromise on these issues.
“If they want to come back to the League of Nations, we can solve those four problems diplomatically, then that would be a great resolution. The alternative is a bad one,” he said.
Iran has refused to re-enter nuclear negotiations with the US unless Washington drops its demand for zero uranium enrichment.
Tehran has also repeatedly affirmed that it is unwilling to negotiate on its ballistic missiles, which it views as an integral part of its defense, as well as its support for resistance groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Before the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June, Trump pretended to be opposed to an Israeli attack – stressing the need for diplomacy while secretly planning the assault with Netanyahu.
Barnea’s visit to the US comes as nationwide protests that erupted weeks ago in Iran have largely died down.
Tehran has detained hundreds of foreign-backed rioters, militants, and separatist operatives behind the killing of over 100 security forces, as well as scores of civilians.
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