Israel, US Discuss Regional Defense Cooperation

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Friday discussed the impact of President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia in July as well as ways to deepen regional defense cooperation.

Gantz said in a tweet that he talked with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the need for continued pressure on Iran as well as negotiations for a nuclear agreement.

Earlier in the day, Iran's foreign minister reiterated his country’s resolve to clinch an agreement for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remark in a late Saturday phone call with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

During the call, the two foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in their countries’ relations in various political, economic and consular sectors, including cooperation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The top Iranian diplomat added that the US constantly claims it is in favor of an agreement, but that claim "should manifest itself [both] in the text of the agreement and in action."

On the same day, Amir-Abdollahian had phone calls with his counterparts from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Iraq, saying Tehran is serious about reaching a durable and strong agreement on the revival of the JCPOA.