Top Israeli and U.S. officials dealing with the Iran file met in a signal of the Biden administration’s efforts to keep Israel in the loop as it moves forward in reentering a nuclear deal that Israel rejects.
Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, met Tuesday with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C.
The White House statement after the meeting emphasized areas of concern to Israel.
“The U.S. and Israeli officials discussed their serious concerns about advancements in Iran’s nuclear program in recent years,” the statement said. “The United States updated Israel on the talks in Vienna and emphasized strong U.S. interest in consulting closely with Israel on the nuclear issue going forward. The United States and Israel agreed on the significant threat posed by Iran’s aggressive behavior in the region, and U.S. officials underscored President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself.”