Israel has been watching with concern that Iran is pushing a hard line against negotiators in Vienna. It simultaneously demanded sanctions relief and accelerated its nuclear program. Israel’s top diplomat, its spy and defense chiefs have been dispatched to Europe and the U.S. to press for a more firm approach to Iran.
Bennett’s historic one-day visit to Abu Dhabi where he will meet Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed is significant for Israel and its new leader. The Trump administration brokered a normalization agreement between Israel and the UAE under the so-called Abraham Accords. Similar agreements were also made with Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain. Israel and the UAE share a long-standing concern about Iran’s nuclear program. Tensions between the two countries have only increased since the agreement to establish ties was reached.
Bennett’s office stated that he would be discussing economic and regional issues during his meeting with bin Zayed.
Bennett’s visit follows a visit to Tehran by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national defense adviser. There, he met with Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s new hardline president, in an attempt to ease tensions. This was a significant visit by the Gulf Arab Federation, which has long considered Iran to be its greatest regional threat. Recent regional visits by the foreign minister of Syria and leaders from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to discuss the negotiation process have been a few other.
Israel, although it is not a participant in the Vienna talks, has sought to collaborate with its allies and lobby negotiators to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Yair Lapid, the Foreign Minister, visited Europe and Egypt recently. Benny Gantz, the Defense Minister and Mossad chief David Barnea flew from Israel to discuss the talks with American leaders.
Lapid had earlier this year visited the UAE to inaugurate Israel’s Embassy there. This was seen as a further strengthening of bilateral ties.
The UAE is seen by Israel as an important part of its outreach. The UAE’s de facto ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Abu Dhabi’s powerful crown prince), has launched a rapid expansion in its military forces to combat what it considers the Iranian threat. U.S. forces are also present in the Emirates, and Jebel Ali port is America’s busiest outside of America.
The Vienna negotiations are attempting to revive the 2015 Iran-Six World Powers nuclear agreement. The President Barack Obama launched the agreement to give Iran relief from harsh sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.
Three years later, Donald Trump with the strong encouragement of Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Israeli Prime Minster, pulled out from the agreement, causing it not to work. The U.S. has reimposed its sanctions on Iran and has increased its nuclear activities, amassing a stockpile well beyond what was allowed by the agreement. A number of prominent Israeli voices, including a former defense minister, and an intelligence head, have indicated that the U.S. withdrawal was not handled correctly, particularly without a contingency plan to deal with Iran’s constantly developing nuclear plans.
After a five-month break due to the election of Raisi, talks resumed in Vienna earlier this month. The round was ended disappointed by negotiators who claimed that Iran had reversed the progress made in previous rounds, and had put forth new demands for sanctions relief. The talks are also being heightened by the fact that Iran is not slowing down its progress in its nuclear program. The U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed during negotiations that Iran had started enriching uranium to a purity of 20% at its underground facility Fordo, which is prohibited under the agreement.
Israel regards Iran as its greatest enemy, and strongly opposed the 2015 agreement. It wants a better deal that puts tighter restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, addresses Iran’s long-range missile programme and deals with its support for hostile proxy forces along Israel’s border. Israel says that negotiations must include a credible military threat to Iran in order to prevent it from stalling for too long.
Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Bennett’s trip to the UAE may prove to be a success. This comes at a time Bennett is being scrutinized for his recent family trip abroad under COVID travel restrictions. It also coincides with a period when his legitimacy as a leader is still being challenged by both opposition lawmakers and those who support him.
Bennett is the leader of a small, nationalist party in parliament and was elected prime minister after a deal was struck between a variety of political factions to remove Netanyahu, a long-serving leader who had portrayed himself as an ultimate statesman and defender for Israel.
