Israel Signals That It Will Not Engage With The Biden Administration On Its Iran Nuclear Strategy

Above, the nuclear water reactor of Arak south of capital Tehran in this Dec. 23, 2019 file photo. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AFP) 

Reuters: Israel hints it may not engage Biden on Iran nuclear strategy 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel held out the possibility on Tuesday that it would not engage with U.S. President Joe Biden on strategy regarding the Iranian nuclear programme, urging tougher sanctions and a “credible military threat” against its arch-enemy. 

The remarks by Israel’s envoy to Washington came at a touchy juncture for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Up for re-election next month, he has revived his hard line on Iran while not yet having any direct communication with Biden. 

The new administration has said it wants a U.S. return to a 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran - which former President Donald Trump quit, restoring sanctions - if the Iranians recommit to their own obligations. Washington has also said it wants to confer with allies in the Middle East about such moves. 

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Update #1: Israel may not be part of strategy if US returns to nuclear deal (Al Jazeera) 

Update #2: Israel Warns It May Go Separate Ways With US on Iran if Biden Returns to Nuclear Deal (Sputnik) 

WNU Editor: Critics are also saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's choice on who to handle the Iran file guarantees that no progress will be made .... Netanyahu’s pick of Iran file envoy signals confrontation with US (Al-Monitor). 

Update #3: What happens if he does not call .... Netanyahu acknowledges differences with Biden, but confident he'll call (Swiss Info/Reuters).