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Israel: Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks No Cause for Optimism

(Reuters) Dan Williams - Israel responded skeptically to the extension of Iranian nuclear talks with world powers on Saturday, saying it saw no cause for the optimism voiced by some Western diplomats about prospects for an accord. International negotiators agreed to allow four more months for talks and let Iran access $2.8 billion of its cash frozen abroad during that period. "We are not enthusiastic about an extension but...it would be better than a bad deal or a deal that is incomplete," said Yuval Steinitz, Israel's minister for strategic affairs. "We don't see any significant progress in the Iranian position nor real readiness by Iran to give up on the core issues, the uranium enrichment and centrifuges," Steinitz said, describing Tehran as having made concessions on "secondary issues" only. He voiced disapproval at the release of the $2.8 billion to Iran. "We think that they should not have been given this, though it is not such a dramatic thing. We think the direction should be the opposite, and hope that in the coming months the world will show resolve and manage to exert pressure on the Iranians."
2014-07-21 00:00:00
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