US, Israel Sign Joint Pledge to Deny Nuclear Weapons to Iran

U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed a new joint declaration expanding the security relationship between the United States and Israel on July 14.

A senior White House official told reporters during a conference call that the pledge includes a renewed commitment to blocking Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“This declaration is pretty significant, and it includes a commitment to never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and to address Iran’s destabilizing activities, particularly threats to Israel,” the senior White House official said.

The joint pledge notes the ongoing U.S. and Israeli support for a memorandum of understanding that was finalized while Biden was serving as vice president under former President Barack Obama.

“The declaration will also emphasize support for the Abraham Accords and expanding Israel’s integration into the region, which, of course, is a theme of this trip,” the official said. “And it will reiterate our shared concerns about a number of global challenges, from food security to the situation in Ukraine and, of course, support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Iran Nuclear Deal

In an interview with Israeli media, which was recorded before he left Washington on July 12 but aired on July 13, Biden said he would keep Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) list even if doing so killed off the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as he began a trip to the Middle East.

Asked if his past statements that he would prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon meant that he would use force against Iran, Biden said: “If that was the last resort, yes.

“The only thing worse than the Iran that exists now is an Iran with nuclear weapons.”

Biden’s 1st Visit to Middle East as President

Biden arrived in Israel on July 13 on his

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