Netanyahu says Israel not party to Iran deal, but praises Trump for ‘commitment’ to thwarting nukes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump speak by phone about the emerging deal with Iran, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

In a statement that seeks to downplay the significance of the potential agreement, Netanyahu’s office says the two spoke about “the emerging memorandum of understanding with Iran regarding entry into negotiations.”

In the conversation, Netanyahu expressed a rather optimistic take on an agreement, according to his office.

“Although Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding,” says the PMO, “the prime minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s commitment that the final agreement reached at the conclusion of the negotiations will include the removal of enriched material, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limitations on missile production, and the cessation of Iran’s support for its terrorist proxies in the region.”

In recent weeks, Trump has only talked about a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and has moved away from demands on ballistic missiles or support for terrorism, issues Iran says it will not discuss.