Netanyahu wants to fight – Andrey Zeltyn

Senior lecturer at the School of Oriental Studies, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE, Andrey Zeltyn, spoke to Alpha News about the US–Iran negotiations and the possibility of escalation in the region.

“To put it briefly, I would be very glad if these negotiations continue further. But I am pessimistic. I believe the window of opportunity for talks is narrowing, and we are essentially in a situation where US military action against Iran could begin at any moment,” Zeltyn said.

Speaking about Israel, the expert noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to fight; he is a supporter of tough military measures against Iran, but without US support it will be very difficult for Israel.

“When it comes to Israel, we should not speak of ‘Israel’s position’ but rather of Netanyahu’s position and that of his circle within the government. Netanyahu’s stance is well known, and the Israeli government does not hide it. Netanyahu wants to fight. I think when he last visited the US, he was persuading Trump. There are reports that he asked for carte blanche. Although he didn’t really ask for carte blanche—there’s no need to ask anything from the US. If he wants and decides that he is strong enough, that he has sufficient forces, he can start and strike on his own. But of course, without US support it will be very difficult for Israel.

Netanyahu, in general, is a supporter of tough military measures against Iran, and his position is becoming stronger and stronger, I mean within Trump’s circle. Why? Because another round of negotiations in Geneva again ended with nothing. This could have been expected, because the positions of the parties are uncompromising. Trump wants Tehran not only to stop uranium enrichment but also to halt its missile program. Tehran, however, categorically refuses to discuss the missile program,” Zeltyn concluded.