Netanyahu discusses Iran uranium deal with cabinet members
Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009
11:40GMT—7:40AM/EST
Washington, 22 October (WashingtonTV)—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday met with seven members of his cabinet to discuss the uranium supply deal between Iran, Russia, France and the United States.
The seven-member forum includes Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Intelligence Minister Dan Meridor, reports the Jerusalem Post.
On Wednesday, the United Nations nuclear watchdog presented a draft agreement to Iran, France, Russia and the United States for Iran to send some 80 percent of its low-enriched uranium abroad for further processing, for use in a research reactor in Tehran.
The deal is seen as a confidence-building measure in easing Western concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israel’s national security advisor, Uzi Arad, has ordered all government officials involved in the Iranian nuclear issue not to respond to media reports on the draft agreement, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported today.
A senior political source in Jerusalem said the directive was issued because Israel wanted to ascertain the details of the draft and ensure media reports on the deal were accurate.
International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, said he hoped for a response from Iran and the three powers by Friday.
Sources: Jerusalem Post, Haaretz newspaper
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