The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported on Sunday that the chances of reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran are “very slim”.
According to the broadcaster, Israel’s security cabinet convened on Sunday evening after a meeting scheduled for Thursday had been postponed, in order to discuss the Iranian file.
The assessment reached by Israeli officials, the report said, is that the prospects of an agreement between Washington and Tehran are extremely limited.
It added that, given the low likelihood of a deal, Israel and the United States continue close coordination in anticipation of a possible American strike on Iran.
Heightened Alert in the Occupation State
Regarding preparations within the occupation state, the broadcaster said that Tel Aviv is maintaining a high level of defensive readiness.
It also cited Israeli sources as saying that Washington is expected to provide Tel Aviv with sufficient advance warning of any potential attack on Iran, enabling it to prepare accordingly.
On Sunday, Steve Witkoff, the US President’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, addressed the ongoing negotiations with Iran and the military pressure exerted by the United States in remarks to Fox News.
Witkoff said that President Donald Trump “is asking why the Iranians do not surrender”.
Geneva Talks and Tehran’s Response
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that a new round of nuclear talks with the American delegation could take place next Thursday in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The American network CBS News quoted Araghchi as describing the talks as “a good opportunity” to reach a diplomatic solution.
Responding to a question regarding preparations by President Donald Trump to launch an attack on his country, Araghchi said: “If they want to find a solution to a peaceful nuclear programme, the only path is diplomacy. We have proven this in the past, and I still believe there is a strong opportunity to reach a diplomatic solution based on the principle of mutual benefit. That solution is within reach.”
He added that there is “no need for any military build up”, stressing that any military mobilisation in the region “will not contribute to this process and will not constitute pressure on Iran”.
Military Escalation and Regional Tensions
For weeks, the United States, encouraged by Israel, has been reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East and signalling the possibility of military action against Iran in an effort to compel it to abandon its nuclear and missile programmes, as well as its regional allies.
Tehran, for its part, maintains that Washington and Tel Aviv are fabricating pretexts to intervene and pursue regime change. It has warned that it will respond to any military attack, even if limited, while insisting on the lifting of Western economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme.
