Israel Demands Iran Scrap Nuclear Program, Offers Lebanon Olive Branch

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has called for Iran to completely end its uranium enrichment activities. He stated this is a necessary step for any future nuclear agreement. Katz blamed the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah for ongoing tensions with Lebanon. However, he insisted there is "no fundamental dispute" between Israel and the Lebanese people. The comments signal a two-part diplomatic stance. Israel is taking a hard line on Iran's nuclear capabilities. Simultaneously, it is attempting to separate the Lebanese state from Hezbollah in ongoing conflict negotiations. The demand for zero enriched uranium in Iran goes beyond the terms of the original 2015 nuclear deal. That agreement allowed Iran to enrich uranium at low levels for civilian energy purposes.