U.S. and Israeli officials committed to coordinating efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons in a meeting of senior officials, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.
The officials also discussed economic and diplomatic steps to achieve their goals and reviewed ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries in Tuesday’s meeting, the White House said.
The statement comes just hours after hundreds of Israel Air Force planes, including fighter jets and refueling aircraft, took off overnight Wednesday from various bases to simulate striking targets far from Israel’s borders, including in Iran. In May, it was reported that the US Air Force would refuel Israel Air Force fighter jets during the drill.
Read more: Iran nuclear deal means bloodbath in Middle East: Israeli PM
The exercise, part of the IDF’s month-long Chariots of Fire drill, saw fighter jets, transport planes and refueling aircraft take off from several bases in Israel for Cyprus.
Israel has significantly increased its readiness level and has taken steps throughout the past year to prepare a credible military option against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The statement also comes as talks concerning a return to the JCPOA nuclear deal remain stalled.
US and #Israel have "committed to coordinate on efforts to prevent #Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and toward deterring Iran’s aggressive regional activities – Joint statement following the US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group pic.twitter.com/eXOwkCyYvd
— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) June 2, 2022
The United States, France, Britain and Germany are pushing for the IAEA Board of Governors to condemn Iran for failing to resolve longstanding questions about illicit uranium traces at undeclared sites, according to a draft resolution.
If the resolution is approved, it would be only the second time the Islamic Republic has been condemned since before the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal was signed.
Some worry that the move could also anger Iran, damage the prospects for rescuing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and lead to retaliation.
Read more: Iran’s nuclear material grew 18 times over 2015 deal limit: IAEA
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh warned on Wednesday that Iran would respond “firmly and appropriately” to any “unconstructive action” by the Board of Governors, adding that “those who view the Board of Governors and the Director General’s report as leverage and tools of political games against Iran are responsible for the consequences.”
Reuters with additional input by GVS News Desk