While most are focusing on the impending release of the Trump Middle East peace proposal, we should not forget the Iran threat, which was reportedly high on the agenda at the Trump-Netanyahu meeting this week. President Trump has set May 12 as the deadline for an agreement with France, Germany, and the UK to “fix” the nuclear deal with Iran (“JCPOA”) so as to avoid a U.S. withdrawal.
However, according to the Axios website, the U.S. – in addition to seeking revisions in JCPOA on such matters as inspection regimes, sunset provisions, and exemptions – is also pushing for a ban on Iran’s missile development program. It believes that the threat of crippling sanctions will induce Iran to agree to the changes.
Israel is not a party to these discussions, but is being kept abreast of them. And it recently learned, to its chagrin, that the limitations on Iranian missile development being considered involve only missiles with a range beyond 1,200 miles – i.e., missiles that can hit Europe and the U.S. – but not short- and medium-range missiles that can hit Israel from Iran, Lebanon, and Syria.
Unfortunately, the Europeans are not all interested in Israel’s particular problem. So part of Mr. Netanyahu’s mission this week has been to get President Trump to address this matter and persuade the Europeans. We hope he was successful. For although the Iran threat has taken a back seat in public attention, it looms as a very crucial matter.