On the 15th local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech outlining clear red lines regarding post-war arrangements in Gaza and the Iranian nuclear issue.
Regarding Iran, Netanyahu disclosed details of his previous communications with US President Donald Trump. Expressing skepticism about the upcoming new round of US-Iran negotiations, Netanyahu presented Israel's bottom line to the American side. He stated that any agreement must include the dismantling of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, not merely a suspension of uranium enrichment. He insisted that Iran must be stripped of all uranium enrichment capabilities, which requires the complete removal and transportation of related equipment and infrastructure out of Iran.
Addressing media reports that a US-drafted peace proposal might allow the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to retain "some light weapons," Netanyahu asserted that Hamas's disarmament must be total. "They must hand over their weapons, not just so-called 'heavy weapons,'" he said. Netanyahu estimated that Hamas still possesses approximately 60,000 rifles, and that these weapons, along with rockets and rocket launchers, must be completely confiscated or removed from Gaza. Additionally, Netanyahu revealed that the Israeli military has so far destroyed about 150 kilometers of the Hamas tunnel network.
Netanyahu also commented on US military aid to Israel. He stated that Israel's goal is to end US military assistance after the current aid agreement expires in 2028. The current agreement provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually, primarily for purchasing military equipment in the United States.
According to previous reports, a new round of US-Iran negotiations is scheduled for the 17th in Geneva, Switzerland. Sources indicated that a US delegation, including US Presidential Envoy Wittkoff and Trump's son-in-law Kushner, will begin talks with the Iranian side on the morning of the 17th, with Omani representatives coordinating the contact between the two parties.
Iran's Foreign Minister Departs for Second Round of Iran-US Talks It was learned that on the evening of the 15th local time, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi led the Iranian negotiation delegation to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the second round of Iran-US talks and other diplomatic activities.
Besides participating in the talks on the 17th, Araghchi is also scheduled to meet with the Swiss Foreign Minister, the Omani Foreign Minister, and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, among other officials.
US Media: If US-Iran Talks Fail, Trump Supports Israeli Airstrikes on Iranian Missile Facilities US media reported on the 15th that President Trump had told Prime Minister Netanyahu that if the US and Iran fail to reach an agreement, he would support Israeli airstrikes on Iranian ballistic missile facilities.
According to CBS, citing two informed sources, Trump made this promise during a meeting with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last December. Two other informed US officials stated that senior US military and intelligence officials have begun discussing the possibility of supporting Israeli airstrikes, focusing not on whether Israel would act, but on how the US could assist, including providing aerial refueling for Israeli warplanes and ensuring relevant countries consent to US and Israeli aircraft flying through their airspace.
The report noted that it is unclear which countries might agree to allow the US to use their airspace for refueling Israeli jets. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have publicly stated they would not permit their airspace to be used for any attack on Iran, nor for Iran to launch attacks on other countries.
Regarding the US-Iran negotiations, the White House is primarily focused on Iran's nuclear program, while Israel is concerned about Iran's rapidly restored ballistic missile production and launch facilities since last year, viewing Iranian missiles as "a more immediate threat." Some Middle East analysts pointed out that in addition to possessing medium-range missiles capable of hitting any location in Israel, Iran also has a large number of short-range missiles that can target US military bases in the Middle East. The Iranian government currently relies more heavily on missiles as its "sole means of defense."
US Secretary of State Rubio, while visiting Slovakia on the 15th, stated that he prefers a diplomatic solution to the issues between the US and Iran, and confirmed that Presidential Envoy Wittkoff and son-in-law Kushner would represent the US in the second round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on the 17th. US media reported that Iranian media said on the 15th that Iran hopes to reach a nuclear agreement with the US that would bring economic benefits to both sides, and that the negotiations might involve joint venture oil fields, mining investments, and other matters.
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