BICOM

US Secretary of State John Kerry met yesterday with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif in attempt to further narrow gaps ahead of a 31 March deadline to agree the political outline to a long-term deal on Iran’s nuclear development.

The meeting is the latest in direct talks between US officials and their Iranian counterparts with the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran working towards meeting the deadline for an agreement. Kerry acknowledged that “significant gaps” remain while Zarif was quoted in Iranian media saying that there had been “good discussions but no agreements.” However, for the first time US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi joined the talks in an indication that technical details are now being discussed in earnest.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned once again of the dangers in concluding the deal under discussion. Addressing his cabinet yesterday, Netanyahu said that the potential agreement would “allow Iran to develop the nuclear capabilities that threaten our existence.” He described the ongoing talks as “astonishing” given that a recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report said that Iran has not complied with its commitment to transparency over its atomic development. Therefore, Netanyahu reiterated his determination to controversially address US Congress next week on the issue, despite accusations by some that he is colluding with President Obama’s political opponents.

The cabinet was also briefed yesterday by head of the Mossad intelligence agency Tamir Pardo and National Security Council head Yossi Cohen. According to a statement, Pardo outlined Iran’s “global terrorist” activity and its “terrorist infrastructure” across the world.

Meanwhile, Zionist Union and opposition leader Isaac Herzog said in an interview with Washington Post, “I agree that a nuclear Iran is extremely dangerous, and I believe that it must be prevented.” Calling Iran’s nuclear ambitions a “big threat,” prime ministerial candidate Herzog said “All options for me are still on the table,” including military strikes.