US-Israel Foreign Ministers' First Meeting: "Serious Concerns Over Iran Nuclear Talks"

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken (left) and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (Photo by CNN)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Following the launch of Israel's new coalition government, the foreign ministers of the United States and Israel held their first face-to-face meeting and pledged cooperation. This meeting took place ahead of the 7th round of negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) between the Biden administration and Iran.

According to CNN and others, Yair Lapid, Israel's Foreign Minister, expressed concerns about the U.S. diplomacy toward Iran on the 27th (local time) but promised cooperation. Israel's new government classifies Iran as its main threat and opposes the nuclear agreement with the international community.

He stated, "Israel holds some serious doubts about the Iran nuclear negotiations currently underway in Vienna, Austria," clearly expressing concern about the resumption of talks on the Iran nuclear deal under the Biden administration.

He added, "We believe the way to resolve these disagreements is not through press conferences but through direct and professional dialogue."

However, he said, "There is no relationship more important to Israel than with the United States. There is an opportunity for a new start between Israel and the new U.S. administration," and "We will correct mistakes together."

Furthermore, he described his upcoming two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting on the 29th as "historic."

Lapid, leader of the centrist party Yesh Atid, will succeed Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who took office on the 13th of last month, and will assume the prime ministership in two years.

He succeeded former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ruled for 12 years but failed to form a coalition government, and successfully formed a coalition by agreeing to alternate the prime ministership with Bennett, each serving a two-year term.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also pledged close cooperation with Israel's new government. Secretary Blinken said, "Like the closest friends, we will sometimes have differences," adding, "We share the same goals and will work closely together."

According to senior State Department officials, Blinken and Lapid discussed the need for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip during their meeting.

Secretary Blinken pointed out that while the U.S. supports Israel's normalization agreements, they cannot replace involvement in the Israel-Palestine issue.

Earlier, the two countries agreed to normalize relations in August last year, and this is the first time a senior Israeli official has visited the UAE since then.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.