At the first meeting of the “US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group” last week, the countries’ national security advisers shared intel on Iran’s nuclear program to create a joint baseline for talks, several Israeli officials tell Axios.
The officials said Israel had come out of the meeting satisfied.
“We are on the same page on the intelligence. There are small nuances but overall, they see data the same way. It was very positive, but it is only the beginning of a process. It will be a rollercoaster,” an unnamed official said.
The officials told Axios that US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had stressed the American commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons long term.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, March 12, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
They also said Sullivan had shared the administration’s considerations and dilemmas on talks with Iran and vowed to be transparent with Jerusalem on the matter while saying he expected the same from Israel.
A second meeting will take place in the next few weeks. The sides will also form a team to regularly share intelligence.
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