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Itongadol.- Israel has received an official copy of the nuclear deal reached between Iran and world powers, a senior official in Jerusalem said Tuesday afternoon, prior to the sides\’ formal announcement that the agreement had been reached.
Officials in the Prime Minister\’s Office, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry have already begun to study the material and will hold consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day.
Netanyahu said Tuesday that the nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers was "a bad mistake of historic proportions," issuing yet another attack on the agreement less than an hour before the two sides were to formally announce the deal.
Netanyahu also sent a message to the political opposition, calling for unity. "I say to all the leaders in Israel – now is the time to put aside petty politics and unite for the sake the most crucial issue of the State of Israel\’s future and security," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister said the nuclear deal is further evidence of the world powers\’ willingness to make a deal at any price.
"Far-reaching concessions were made in areas that were supposed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said. "Iran will receive hundreds of billions of dollars, with which it can fuel its terror machine, and pursue its aggression and terror in the region and the world."
Netanyahu defended himself against criticism leveled at him in recent days, particularly by Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid, saying that it was impossible to prevent a deal since negotiators from the world powers were willing to make more and more concessions.
"We understand that the desire to sign an agreement was stronger than anything – therefore we have committed ourselves to prevent an agreement," Netanyahu said. "We have pledged to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons – and this commitment remains."
Iranian and Western diplomats confirmed Tuesday morning that a formal agreement had been reached. At 11:30 A.M. Israel time, the foreign ministers of Iran, the EU, U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany convened for a concluding session at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. Following the meeting currently underway, the foreign ministers will then announce they have reached an agreement.
Iran\’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and EU\’s Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini are expected to read a joint statement on the highlights of the agreement. The Iranian delegation and representatives of the six world powers will then hold separate press conferences.
On Monday, Netanyahu again slammed the concessions that the world powers had offered Iran, saying they had shown that they will accept a nuclear deal at any price.
"If the concessions continue even after \’death to America\’ chants in Tehran, then it is clear that some are willing to make a deal at any price," Netanyahu said at a Likud faction meeting earlier Monday.
"Were it not for our efforts over the years, Iran would have accumulated nuclear weapons already. Our commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon still stands today."
Netanyahu launched an official account in Farsi Monday night ahead of the Iran deal, intending to integrate the move into the framework of hasbara efforts against the emerging nuclear deal.