US, Israel Pledge Joint Effort to Stop Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons

By Hamodia Staff

Israel’s National Security Council chairman Eyal Hulata

YERUSHALAYIM – The United States and Israel have pledged to work together to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and pursuing terrorist activities in the Middle East.

“The officials committed to coordinate on efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and toward deterring Iran’s aggressive regional activities,” said a joint statement released early Thursday after a meeting at the White House of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group.

“They also discussed economic and diplomatic steps to achieve these goals and reviewed ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries,” the statement said.

Israel’s National Security Council chairman Eyal Hulata and his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan met Wednesday in Washington for talks held just a day after dozens of Israeli fighter jets conducted air maneuvers over the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday night, simulating a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, the latest step in preparations for such an operation.

The SCG has met several times since the start of the Biden administration to coordinate efforts aimed at curbing the various threats posed by Iran. The meeting was attended by foreign policy, defense, and intelligence officials from both governments, the White House said in a statement.

Also on the agenda was President Joe Biden’s trip to Israel planned tentatively for late June, though the Americans have not yet committed to a specific date.

Additionally, he was to receive an update on efforts to broker an agreement that will see Egypt transfer the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia, according to The Times of Israel.

Israeli approval of the deal is needed because of the multinational observer force that has been deployed on the islands since the peace treaty with Egypt. As a result, the U.S. and Israel are reportedly pressing Riyadh to take steps toward normalization with Yerushalayim. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said this week that the process will be long and drawn out, but eventually normalization is expected.

Tuesday’s military drills included “long-range flight, aerial refueling and striking distant targets,” according to a statement Wednesday from the IDF.

According to Channel 13 news, more than 100 aircraft — as well as navy submarines — participated in the drill that spanned some 6,500 miles.

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