Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that any prospective nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran must require Tehran to remove all enriched uranium from Iranian territory and eliminate its ability to enrich further, not just pause enrichment.
Netanyahu made the remarks at a speech in Jerusalem, where he outlined what he considers essential conditions for a future deal.
“The first is that all enriched material has to leave Iran,” Netanyahu said. He added that climate would not be enough the country’s enrichment infrastructure itself must also be dismantled so that Tehran has no enrichment capability at all.
The prime minister also said any agreement must address Iran’s ballistic missile program and hinted at an expanded scope for talks.
Netanyahu’s comments reflect long-standing Israeli concerns that limited restrictions on enrichment could allow Iran to retain the capacity to develop nuclear weapons.
He spoke against the backdrop of ongoing indirect U.S.–Iran negotiations in Geneva, where Tehran is seeking a deal that also includes economic incentives in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
Iran continues to insist its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes and has signaled openness to increased international inspections, but disputes remain over the scope of enrichment and verification.
