Trump promised Netanyahu Iran deal would include total dismantling of nuclear program – report

The proposal under discussion is expected to begin with a memorandum of understanding rather than a full nuclear agreement.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump has assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he will not sign a final agreement with Iran unless Tehran dismantles its nuclear program and removes all enriched uranium from Iranian territory, a senior Israeli official said Sunday.

The message came as Washington updated Jerusalem on negotiations toward a memorandum of understanding that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch talks on a broader agreement over unresolved nuclear and regional issues.

According to the official, Netanyahu told Trump in a phone call Saturday night that Israel would preserve its freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon. Trump reaffirmed his support for that principle, the official said.

The Israeli briefing appeared aimed at easing concerns in Jerusalem that an emerging US-Iran arrangement could restrict Israeli operations against Hezbollah or soften Washington’s demands on Iran’s nuclear program.

The American president “clarified that he will stand firm in the negotiations on his longstanding demand for the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of all enriched uranium from Iranian territory, and that he will not sign a final agreement without these conditions being met,” the official said.

Netanyahu, according to the official, again expressed appreciation for Trump’s “longstanding and extraordinary commitment” to Israel’s security.

The Israeli statement followed Trump’s announcement Saturday that the United States, Iran and regional mediators were close to finalizing an agreement connected to the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said “final aspects and details” were still being discussed and that the waterway would be reopened.

The proposal under discussion is expected to begin with a memorandum of understanding rather than a full nuclear agreement. It would address the reopening of Hormuz, then move into negotiations on the larger issues still dividing Washington and Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has said Iran holds about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, near weapons grade, along with a larger stockpile enriched to lower levels. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran transferred much of its enriched uranium to Russia, a model that could be revisited in a new agreement.