Israel says Iran is stalling at the Vienna nuclear talks with world powers because it knows it has a weak negotiating position and is trying to buy time.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday that now is the time when the world powers can stop Iran’s nuclear program and its “terror activities” in the region if they draw a clear line in the sand.
“The internal situation in Iran leaves lots of opportunities for the world. It is not a real power. Its citizens are suffering… the heads of Iran know their [weak] situation”, Gantz said, adding, “Iran arrived at the talks in Vienna without substantial cards to play. They want to play for time” in the hope that they get a deal with fewer nuclear limits and less economic pressure.
The remarks by Gantz echoed similar concerns by Saudi Arabia that has been asking to have a role in the Vienna talks.
During a press conference after a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Riyadh last week, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud expressed concerns about the evolution of the Vienna negotiations, saying that a Saudi presence at the talks "would allow us to be close to solutions since we are one of the countries most threatened".
"So far the reports show there is some stalling by Iran and we hope this will turn to progress in the near future," he said.