Biden's visit sends Israel 'double message' on Iran
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Double message
Biden apparently sought to assuage Israel's concerns.
He told his hosts on Tuesday that his government is committed to Israel's security and will never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.
"The cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute and unvarnished commitment to Israel's security ... There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security," said Biden, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the security of the Mideast ally.
Meanwhile, "we're determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. And we're working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet international obligations and cease and desist," Biden told Netanyahu.
"Addressing Iran's nuclear program has been one of our administration's priorities," he added.
Speaking alongside Peres, he claimed that "Iran today is more isolated, internally, externally, and has fewer friends in the world."
According to Meir Javedanfar, who heads the regional analysis company Middle East Economic and Political Analysis, while reassuring Israel that its concerns are understood and America is not going to abandon Israel, Biden was also implying that "the U.S. has other cards at its disposal."
This double message, said Javedanfar, is not only aimed at Israel but also at the government in Tehran.
Echoing Javedanfar, Dan Diker, director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, opined that the vice president is in Israel to calm down the Israelis and promise them that Washington is on the same page.
However, Biden also wants "to keep tabs in the sense that he wants to make sure that Israel is not racing ahead to other far- reaching decisions," said Diker, alluding to a possible Israeli strike at Iran's nuclear facilities.
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