But it is useful to examine Israel’s long-term objectives for a bit of a reality check.
During a recent trip to Israel, where I met government officials, one issue became clear: for many in the Israeli government, Iran has already crossed the red line. Unless Iran halts all enrichment and dismantles its nuclear program, the diplomatic process is irrelevant to many Israeli officials.
The Israelis are not willing to wait for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to make the political decision to move toward developing a nuclear weapon; by then, it is too late. This is a major point of difference between Israel and the United States and the European Union — one which the nuclear talks will not resolve. The Americans and Europeans are trying to buy time by stating repeatedly that Khamenei has not yet made the decision to develop a nuclear bomb. But this is of no comfort to the Israelis.
According to a report Saturday in the New York Times, Obama administration officials said the P5+1 — the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany — were prepared to offer a deal to the Iranians that would include easing restrictions on the sale of technology, such as airplane parts and assistance to Iran’s energy complex.
Even if Iran were to accept such a deal, it is highly unlikely the regime would make concessions in turn to meet Israeli demands.
Iran demands the right to a nuclear program, including enrichment. But the Israelis will accept only the long-standing P5+1 position of no enrichment. Even if, as former Iranian ambassador Hossein Mousavian suggests, that an offer be made to limit enrichment at 3.5% to 5%, this is not enough for Israel.
Iran also wants an end to sanctions. But the sanctions are the only measures that have pacified Israel. There is talk that the P5+1 might offer a deal that would involve pushing back the scheduled oil embargo on Iran, which is due to take effect July 1. This would only antagonize Israel.
Iran could agree to permit inspectors full surveillance of its centrifuges. But the Israelis have little or no trust in Iran and believe that while inspections might address the part of Iran’s nuclear program that is visible, they wouldn’t do much to monitor nuclear technology the Iranians may have hidden from the international community.
So why all the optimism? The P5+1 needs to buy time to avert a unilateral attack by Israel. And the Iranians need ongoing diplomacy to push back the oil embargo.
As the talks draw near, high-ranking Iranian officials have been making daily statements predicting the talks will be a great success. For once, it seems Iran and the West are on the same page.
The only negative statements have been made by Saeed Jalili, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and chief nuclear negotiator. Jalili mentioned Thursday that Iran considers using nuclear energy its right and will not budge from this position.
Iran’s development path is not reversible, he said, adding that any additional pressure on Iran will only result in further resistance and progress. In the long term, these statements are likely to more accurately reflect Iran’s position.
The Israeli clock has already run out. Whatever patience Israel is demonstrating is merely to respect President Obama’s wish to get through the November election without an incident.
But it is likely that after November, there will no longer be a pretense of optimism from any side.
The views in this article are solely those of Geneive Abdo.
