According to the Axios website, Israeli officials are attempting to influence the American delegation just hours before the second round of negotiations with Iran over the nuclear deal, which will take place in Rome on Saturday.
Secret Meeting
According to three informed Israeli sources, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer secretly traveled to Paris to meet with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff “for talks” on the Iranian nuclear issue.
According to a report published by Axios, Mossad chief David Barnea also joined the meeting.
The report did not disclose the information presented by the Israeli delegation “at the last moment” to the American delegation, which could potentially affect the nature of the U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Several experts pointed out that Israel fears the United States might make concessions during the talks that could pose a security threat to Israel in the region.
Upcoming U.S.-Iran Talks
The meeting with Witkoff comes ahead of the second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, expected to begin Saturday in Rome. Israel is seeking to clarify its positions and attempt to influence the U.S. stance in these talks.
Witkoff had met on Thursday in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and senior representatives from the UK and Germany. The discussions focused on efforts to reach a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but the Iranian file was also addressed.
A source familiar with the details of the talks said that Witkoff emphasized the Trump administration’s goal of resolving the nuclear crisis with Iran through diplomatic means and reaching an agreement under which Iran would not enrich uranium.
President Donald Trump said in a conversation with reporters on Thursday that he is in no rush to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, as he believes “Iran wants to negotiate.”
Trump added: “I don’t want to hurt anyone, but Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. We don’t want to take away their industry or their land — just that they don’t have nuclear arms.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Rome on Friday, following a visit to Moscow on Thursday, during which he met with President Vladimir Putin and discussed the ongoing negotiations with the United States regarding the nuclear deal.