Israel Makes Diplomatic Push to Stall ‘Bad’ Iran Nuclear Deal

Israel is making an all out effort among world powers to ensure, a deal on the nuclear issue that it considers bad, is not reached with Iran. Reports say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to leaders from the U.S., Russian, French, German and British leaders in a attempt to convince them that the deal under discussion in Geneva is a bad deal. Israeli officials are also seeking to lobby with the U.S. Congress in a attempt to block efforts to ease sanctions against Iran.

Mr Netanyahu is said to have spoken to five of the six world powers negotiating with Iran, telling that "according to the information reaching Israel, the looming agreement is bad and dangerous."

Israel contention against the proposed deal is that it would remove sanctions on Iran while still allowing the country to enrich uranium and advance works on its plutonium reactor.

"I asked them what was the rush? I suggested they wait, and seriously consider things," Mr Netanyahu said at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting.

"I hope they reach a good agreement, and we will do all we can to convince world powers to avoid a bad deal," he said.

The Israeli prime minister's remarks came as world powers failed to reach a deal with Iran on its nuclear programme despite three days of negotiations in Geneva. The failure to reach an agreement dashed hopes of an immediate solution to the decade-old stand-off between Western powers and Iran.

Diplomats involved in the negotiations have, however, expressed optimism, saying that progress has been made and further talks would resume on Nov 20.

Israel's Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, meanwhile, said he would lobby the U.S. Congress before the talk with Iran resumes in Geneva on Nov 20.

"Before the talks resume, we will lobby dozens of members of the US Congress to whom I will personally explain during a visit beginning on Tuesday that Israel's security is in jeopardy," Mr Bennett said.