Lapid conveys Israel's rejection of new Iran nuclear deal to Macron

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid today spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and conveyed that his government opposes the new nuclear deal being negotiated with Iran and stressed that Israel reserves the right to act outside the deal.

"The prime minister made it clear to the president that Israel opposes a return to the agreement and would not be bound by it," a statement from Lapid's office said today.

The text also said that the president conveyed to Macron that "Israel will continue to do everything possible to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear capability", in a possible allusion to the use of force, something that the Israeli leadership has threatened on multiple occasions.

Furthermore, Lapid emphasised "the need to send a clear and unequivocal message that there will be no more concessions to the Iranians" and complained that Tehran continues to negotiate on a proposal that was presented to it as final.

According to the Israeli prime minister, the proposal includes "new elements that go beyond the limits of the original agreement, and that will pave the way for major investments in Iran's terrorist network and in strengthening its armed forces".

The statement from Lapid's office said Macron "emphasised his commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon".

Monday's telephone communication comes as Tehran awaits a US response to its response to the EU's proposal to save the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Iran has been negotiating for 16 months with Germany, France, the UK, Russia, China and, indirectly, the US to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned in 2018 by then US President Donald Trump.

The EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, presented a new proposal to conclude the agreement, which he described as a "final text", at the latest round of talks held in Vienna from 4 to 8 August.