Defense Minister Benny Gantz pledged on Sunday to cooperate with the United States on Iran, voicing hope that Israeli security would be safeguarded under any renewed Iranian nuclear deal that Washington reaches.
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"Israel views the United States as a full partner across all operational theaters, not the least Iran," Gantz said after hosting visiting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
"And we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel."
Austin arrived in Israel on Sunday on the first visit by a senior representative of the Biden administration, whose stance on Iran has worried Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Austin, who was greeted by an honor guard at Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, held a joint press conference with Gantz and was due to meet Netanyahu during the two-day visit, which officials said would include discussions of US arms supplies to Israel.
"We are committed to Israel's security," Austin said at the joint press conference, adding that Washington views the alliance with the Jewish state as central to regional security as well as "enduring and ironclad."
Washington has sought to reassure Israel on regional security issues while restarting talks – so far indirect and inconclusive – about a US return to the 2015 nuclear deal.
"I emphasized to Secretary Austin," Gantz said, "that Israel views the United States as a full partner across all operational theaters, not the least Iran. The Tehran of today poses a strategic threat to international security, to the entire Middle East and to the State of Israel. And we will work closely with our American allies, to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel."
The defense minister continued: "After a year which shook the world to its core, I find great comfort in the assurance of our people's unbreakable bond, and in the knowledge that both in the US and in Israel, forces of good act to promote unity, solidarity and diversity."
On Sunday, Iran's Press TV said an electricity problem had caused an incident at the Natanz underground uranium enrichment site, without casualties or pollution. Israel had no immediate comment on the Natanz incident.
Gantz and Austin will have lunch together and resume meetings with their teams later Sunday. On Monday, the two will visit Nevatim Israeli Airbase near Beersheba, followed by visits to Yad Vashem and the National Hall for Israel's Fallen on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
After leaving Israel, Austin is expected to visit Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
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