Israel prefers no deal over bad Iran deal, FM tells Russia

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman told his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, Monday that Israel prefers that the world powers known as the P5+1 come to no agreement with Iran over its nuclear program, rather than strike a “bad deal.”

The two men met in Moscow to discuss ongoing challenges in the Middle East and bilateral relations between the countries.

Liberman also said that Israel is keeping “all options on the table” in dealing with Iran, a euphemism for a possible military strike.

Last week, Russia signed a military cooperation deal with Iran, which Iran touted as a joint response to US “interference.” The deal provides for joint exercises and military training, as well as “cooperation in peacekeeping, maintaining regional and international security and stability, and fighting against separatism and extremism,” the Iranian defense ministry website said.

Russia has long been Iran’s principal foreign arms supplier, and the two governments are the chief allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad in his almost four-year conflict with rebel groups, some of which are backed by the West.

Liberman also laid out Israel’s red lines over the fighting in Syria — especially activities near Israel’s borders — according to the Foreign Ministry.

Addressing Palestinian moves to join international bodies, Liberman said the Palestinian Authority was turning the International Criminal Court into a political tool, which could eventually be used against Russia.

Liberman and Lavrov spoke of strengthening bilateral ties by several means, including swapping academics and opening new consulates.

The Moldovan-born Liberman is a native Russian speaker.

Last week, the Foreign Ministry said it was unaware of any planned visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin next month, rebuffing reports in Palestinian media that he was headed to the region. Putin last paid an official visit to Israel in June 2012.

AFP contributed to this report.