Pompeo warns against 'fake' nuclear deal with Iran

Israel supports the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program based on the Libyan model, but other options remain open if diplomacy fails, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman was quoted as saying in an interview with Channel 12’s Meet the Press on Saturday.

“If that’s accepted, it would be welcome,” Omer Dostri said. “War is not the goal; it’s a means.”​

Dostri said that Netanyahu remains committed to stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. “If this can be achieved through time-bound tough diplomatic efforts and sanctions that lead to that outcome, then that is what will happen,” he said. “If not, there are other ways.”

“For over a decade, the prime minister has led efforts that have, in practice, prevented a nuclear Iran. They still have not acquired a nuclear weapon, and Israel will not allow them to achieve it,” he added.

Israel's foreign minister says his country would accept an agreement between Tehran and Washington that would block Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon even though he believes the Islamic Republic would not comply with its obligations.

"Israel is committed to the objective of preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons. If that objective can be achieved by a diplomatic path, it is accepted," The Telegraph reported citing Gideon Saar.

Saar at the same time warned that Tehran cannot be trusted. “Iran always mocked its international obligations."

He said he does not exclude the option that "they will try to get some partial agreements, to avoid getting to the necessary solution," apparently referring to Donald Trump's threats to attack Iran if nuclear talks fail.

"We are speaking directly with the Americans. We’re also speaking with European friends. I think we all have the same objective. Iran is in a position of relative weakness, and this should be used to achieve the objective, and not to let Iran escape for the sake of convenience, to waste time until the circumstances change," Saar was quoted as saying.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to deliver a virtual keynote address at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference on Monday, in what observers say signal Tehran's intent to engage directly with the US policy community amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States.​

Longtime US foreign policy journalist Laura Rozen highlighted the significance of Araghchi's upcoming address, saying on X, "It would seem a sign of Iran interest in trying to speak to US elite policy audience at time when tentative engagement underway with the Trump admin."​

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met Rafael Grossi, the UN nuclear watchdog's director general in Rome on Saturday morning before the second round of nuclear talks with Iran, the Wall Street Journal and Axios reported citing sources.

Asked about the presence of Grossi in Rome, Iran's Foreign Minister told reporters, "Talks do not require IAEA Director General's presence now, but exchanging expert views including with Grossi can be helpful."

"His awareness of the process is positive; IAEA will have an important role later," the Iranian top diplomat added.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi said nuclear talks between Iran and the United States are gaining momentum, following the second round of Muscat-mediated negotiations in Rome on Saturday.

"I would like to thank Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Presidential Envoy Mr Steve Witkoff for their highly constructive approach to the talks today,” al-Busaidi wrote on X. “These talks are gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible.”