US, Israel postpone Iran talks after White House cancels: report

Israel and the United States are expected to reconvene a joint meeting on Iran next month, just days after the White House canceled it, according to Axios, citing five officials from the two countries.

The meeting, initially scheduled for last Thursday, took place would have been canceled in response to a video by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing the Biden administration of withholding military aid amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

Senior Israeli and American officials, as reported by Axiossay that while the date for the new meeting has not been set, it is expected to take place in mid-July, ahead of Netanyahu’s planned speech to the US Congress on July 24.

A senior Israeli delegation led by National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister Ron Dermer will travel to Washington for the negotiations, according to the same report. The discussions are expected to focus on Israel’s concerns over progress in Iran’s nuclear program, with fears that progress could be linked to possible weapons efforts.

The US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group (SCG), the forum for the two countries to discuss the status of Iran’s nuclear program, has not met since March 2023.

U.S. and Israeli officials say Iran’s nuclear program has significantly intensified since then, according to Axios. This month, G7 leaders urged Tehran to cease and reverse its nuclear escalations and stop its uranium enrichment which they say has no credible justification, according to a report. draft press release seen by Reuters.

Tehran has always maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.

Tensions between the United States and Israel amid fears of all-out war with Hezbollah

The latest tensions between Jerusalem and Washington come amid growing fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Alongside the ongoing war in Gaza, the heavily armed and Iranian-backed Hezbollah group has been trading fire with Israel for more than eight months.

In recent weeks, intensified shelling on Israel’s northern border has led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that the United States is urgently working to reach a diplomatic agreement to allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return home on both sides of the border.

Israeli and American officials say they hope to resolve the conflict with Hezbollah, preferring a diplomatic solution.

This week, Netanyahu announced that the “intense phase” of fighting against Hamas in Gaza was coming to an end, allowing Israeli forces to focus on confronting Hezbollah along the northern border with Lebanon.