Top US nuclear negotiator to visit Israel
Fresh from failed Baghdad talks, Wendy Sherman to affirm ‘unshakable commitment’ of Washington
Joshua Davidovich is The Times of Israel's Deputy Editor
The United States’ lead negotiator in talks with Iran over curbing their nuclear program will visit Israel to consult on regional issues, the U.S. State Department announced Thursday.
Wendy Sherman, the under-secretary of state for political affairs, will travel to Israel Friday “for consultations on bilateral and regional issues with senior officials and to reaffirm our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security,” according to a State Department press release.
Sherman headed the US team in P5+1 talks with Iran in Baghdad this week, aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear program and staving off possible military action against the Islamic Republic.
The talks ended with no agreement, despite reports that the US would offer to let the Iranians enrich uranium up to 20% percent in exchange for a economic incentive package. Iran rejected the deal and another round of talks is scheduled for next month in Moscow.
Israeli official have said that they find any Iranian enrichment of uranium unacceptable.
Earlier this week, Haaretz reported that the US would send a delegation to Israel aimed at calming officials’ fears over talks with Iran.
Any deal made between the six world power and Tehran will likely include allowances for some amount of enrichment, though some doubt Iran will ever agree to a deal with the West.
Israeli officials have said Iran is using the talks to stall for time so it can move its nuclear program underground.
Israel and much of the West believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains the program is peaceful.
