By Abiola Olawale
President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday had an hour-long phone conversation, over re-entering the nuclear deal with Iran.
Amid reports of a strained relationship between the two countries following Netanyahu’s close ties to the Trump administration, Biden finally spoke with the prime minister for the first time since his inauguration on January 20.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Israeli leader’s office, stated that the two leaders discussed the “Iranian threat” as well as other issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement reads, “The two leaders noted their long-standing personal connection and said that they would work together to continue strengthening the steadfast alliance between Israel and the U.S. The two leaders discussed about the Iranian threat of developing nuclear weapons, efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and the desire to expand Israel’s new deals establishing relations with Arab nations.”
Similarly, in a statement, the White House on Wednesday said the two leaders discussed the alliance of the US-Israel partnership.
The statement reads, “The president affirmed his personal history of steadfast commitment to Israel’s security and conveyed his intent to strengthen all aspects of the U.S.-Israel partnership, including our strong defense cooperation.”
Recall Biden had criticized Trump’s administration for pulling out of the landmark 2015 nuclear accord that Iran signed with world powers.
Trump’s administration abandoned the agreement and reimposed sanctions, on Iran.
Biden has also publicly stated that Iran must adhere to its commitment under the 2015 deal before his administration will engage Tehran on the possibility of lifting the sanctions.
