BICOM

In a rare public statement yesterday, Israel’s security cabinet said that four conditions must be reached if diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear programme are to make progress.

Talks between Iranian officials and representatives of the P5+1 (United States, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany) regarding Tehran’s nuclear development got underway in Geneva yesterday. Iranian officials delivered an hour long presentation, entitled “Closing an unnecessary crisis: Opening new horizons.” Although no details of the presentation were made public, it is thought to have proposed a timeline in which Iran would receive sanctions relief in return for accepting some curbs on its nuclear programme.

After a second meeting in the afternoon, Michael Mann, spokesman for European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, who is chairing the talks, commented “For the first time, very detailed technical discussions continued this afternoon.” On the sidelines of the multilateral discussions, Ashton met directly with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif, while US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman held an impromptu session with Zarif’s deputy, Abbas Araqchi. Further talks between Iran and P5+1 representatives are scheduled to continue today.

Prior to the start of yesterday’s talks, Israel’s security cabinet took the unusual step of releasing a public statement, which affirmed Israel’s support for a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear development, should Tehran comply with four measures: cease all nuclear enrichment, remove all stockpiles of enriched uranium, dismantle the Qom and Natanz facilities and stop work at the Arak heavy water reactor.

The statement said, “Israel calls upon the international community not to reach a partial agreement that would fail to bring about the full dismantling of the Iranian military nuclear program,” and warned of “cosmetic concessions” from Iran. It explained that despite Iran’s wishes, “Sanctions must not be eased when they are so close to achieving their intended purpose.” The security cabinet emphasised that “making concessions before ensuring the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” would constitute an “historic mistake.”

Israel fears a partial agreement which will give Iran sufficient sanctions relief to move forward, but leave it in control of the key facilities which provide it with nuclear breakout capacity.