BICOM

Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond will visit Israel today to discuss the implications of the nuclear deal agreed this week between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany).

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Hammond announced the visit saying that “I will set out the case to the Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] and I’ve no doubt I’ll hear – in great length – his opposition.” Netanyahu has been a consistent critic of the deal throughout the negotiation period and along with Israeli leaders across the political spectrum, has continued to condemn the accord since it was signed this week, describing it as a “stunning, historic mistake.”

Hammond suggested to the Commons yesterday that Israel opposes any accord agreed with Tehran under current circumstances, saying that “Israel doesn’t want any deal with Iran.” He added, “Israel wants a permanent state of stand-off and I don’t believe that’s in the interests of the region. I don’t believe it’s in our interest.” In addition, Hammond also said that he hopes that Britain and Iran “will be in a position to re-open our respective embassies before the end of the year.” Diplomatic relations between the UK and Iran were suspended in 2011 when a mob of hundreds of locals stormed and ransacked the British Embassy.

Providing a wider perspective on the nuclear deal, Hammond said “The big prize here is that, as Iran comes out of the isolation of the last decades… is much more engaged with Western countries.” He said that he envisages greater opportunity for Western investment in Iran.

Also yesterday, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published its report reviewing arms export licenses to Israel, concluding that all criteria surrounding the sales were being met. The government said last year that it was reviewing 12 specific licenses in the wake of Operation Protective Edge. The report said, “The government is confident that all export licences in circulation for Israel meet these criteria.”