Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that he opposes any interim agreement the US and Iran are reportedly negotiating on Tehran's nuclear program.
Netanyahu said this after unconfirmed reports in the Israeli media that an understanding had been reached between Washington and Tehran that would somewhat limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions. The US has publicly denied any such agreement.
The Israeli leader said he had informed the US that "the most limited understanding, the so-called 'mini-agreements' do not serve the purpose" and that Israel opposes them.
Israeli officials, who asked to remain anonymous, believe an understanding has already been reached on limiting uranium enrichment and that some funds have already been unfrozen.
The Vala news website reported last Sunday that, based on an understanding negotiated between the US and Iran, Tehran would limit uranium enrichment to 60 percent in exchange for sanctions relief.
The same site announced that the reciprocal exchange of prisoners is also being discussed.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said last Sunday that there was no deal and added that the reports were untrue. A report by the website Vala stated that Netanyahu revealed the details of the agreement at a recent parliamentary committee meeting.
The US and Israel share intelligence, and the focus is on their relationship with Iran and that country's nuclear program.
Netanyahu strongly opposed the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers brokered by the administration of then-US President Barack Obama.
The Prime Minister of Israel wholeheartedly supported the decision of Obama's successor, Donald Trump, to withdraw from the agreement in 2018.
Iran claims that the nuclear program serves peaceful purposes.
Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran a major threat and recalls calls by Iranian leaders to destroy the Jewish state and support for anti-Israel extremist organizations across the region.
Israeli leaders are not ruling out military action to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
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