Iran accuses Israel of working to ‘poison’ nuclear talks in Vienna

Iran accuses Israel of “trumpeting lies to poison” ongoing talks in Vienna between Tehran and world powers over its nuclear program.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh tweets that Israel is fomenting tension during the recently renewed negotiations.

“Israeli regime whose existence relies on tension is at it again, trumpeting lies to poison Vienna talks,” tweets Khatibzadeh. “All parties in the room now face a test of their independence & political will to carry out the job — irrespective of the fake news designed to destroy prospects for success.”

Khatibzadeh did not elaborate which statements he was referring to. In a meeting in Paris yesterday with French President Emanuel Macron, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that Iran is merely buying time at the talks in order to continue making progress in its nuclear program, and to gain relief from crippling economic sanctions.

And Defense Minister Benny Gantz said earlier this week that Israeli defense officials are sharing intelligence with allies “indicating Iran is continuing to rush toward a nuclear” program ahead of the resumption of the nuclear talks. He called on world powers to exact a “price” from Iran for its continued uranium enrichment in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal.