Israeli Security Official Says Removing Enriched Uranium Would Count as Victory in Iran Talks

A senior Israeli security official told Walla that Israel now sees the main test in the emerging U.S.-Iran deal as whether Tehran is forced to surrender its enriched uranium. The official said, "A move to remove the enriched uranium from Iran's hands is a victory." The report was published after Donald Trump said he would consider striking the Iranian regime over stalled negotiations, then quickly reversed course in a follow-up post when he feared an Israeli response could trigger a wider regional war and derail the talks.

According to Israeli and military sources, the IDF and the Americans hold daily situation assessments, including in recent days and throughout the ceasefire with Iran. Coordination, including at senior levels, has continued around the clock. Israeli officers said U.S. forces were involved in missile defense operations protecting Israel during the last round of Iranian fire, but the main U.S. focus was on areas where it has direct interests, including American aircraft and troops in Israel.

The report says the main reason for the latest stalemate is a split inside Iran's leadership. A second tier of officials reportedly wants to advance negotiations, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other senior figures understand the dramatic consequences of any decision, especially on transferring 460 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent out of Iran and to the United States.

Israeli security officials also say three other issues worry them: Iran's ballistic missile buildup, which Washington has not given enough weight in the talks; Tehran's demand to unfreeze billions of dollars in the U.S., the United Arab Emirates and other countries; and the linkage between Iran and Hezbollah. Israel says it has worked in recent months to sever that connection, but believes Washington has not adopted Jerusalem's line. The report says this will remain a test for Israel as it tries to preserve IDF freedom of action across the Middle East.