US And Israeli Officials Discuss Iran Threat, White House Says

A missile is launched during a joint exercise called the 'Great Prophet 17', in the southwest of Iran. December 22, 2021
A missile is launched during a joint exercise called the 'Great Prophet 17', in the southwest of Iran. December 22, 2021

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart discussed the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program and other "destabilizing" activities in the region, the White House said Wednesday.

During a visit to Israel, Sullivan updated Israeli national security adviser Eyal Hulata on nuclear negotiations in Vienna as they discussed issues of "vital strategic importance" to both countries, a White House statement said.

"The delegations discussed the need to confront all aspects of the threat posed by Iran, including its nuclear program, destabilising activities in the region, and support for terrorist proxy groups," it said.

"They agreed that Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program poses a grave threat to the region and to international peace and security."

It added: "The officials affirmed that the United States and Israel are aligned in their determination to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon."

Sullivan also met Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and they discussed the Iranian threat. Sullivan said he had been sent to Israel by President Joe Biden "because at a critical juncture for both our countries on a major set of security issues, it's important that we sit together and develop a common strategy, a common outlook".

With reporting by Reuters