Israeli intelligence assessment says Iran’s leadership has not באמת changed course on the nuclear issue, despite approving the current framework agreement. According to a Tuesday report by Yaron Abraham on Channel 12, Israeli officials believe Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei does not want a final nuclear deal and is using talks as a calculated tactical move.
The reported Iranian approval is seen in Jerusalem as driven by immediate economic and strategic interests, especially a desire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and give the regime a much-needed economic boost, while keeping its military ambitions intact. Security officials warned ministers and decision-makers in the past 24 hours that Tehran is likely to use a familiar delaying tactic.
Israeli officials fear Iran will deliberately drag out the 60-day negotiation window and turn it into a much longer period. The main concern is that the time will not only be wasted on empty talks, but could also be used as cover for activity on the ground. One senior security official reportedly said it would be very surprising if Iran did not use every trick available to shorten its path to a bomb under diplomatic cover.
The report also points to a severe and unprecedented trust crisis between Jerusalem and Washington over the issue. Israel recently asked the United States for formal access to the existing memorandum of understanding, whose details are said to be known to Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan as well. Washington refused, reportedly because it fears Israeli leaks to the media could derail the delicate process leading to a signing.
