Israel, US Envoy Convene in Paris Ahead of Iran Nuclear Talks

April 19, 2025 | 03:04 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of Mossad and the Minister of Strategic Affairs of Israel reportedly met with U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Paris on Friday. As reported by The New Arab, the meeting is suspected to be part of Israel's efforts to influence the Iran talks on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Senior Israeli officials held an impromptu meeting with Witkoff as Tel Aviv ramps up its pressure campaign on the Trump administration ahead of a new round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.

Witkoff is expected to meet with the Iranian foreign minister for the second time in a week on Saturday in Rome, Italy, to negotiate the restraints on Tehran's nuclear program.

Trump has threatened to attack Iran if the country pursues nuclear weapons, but has said he prefers a diplomatic process, which began last week with the first round of talks in Oman.

Israel strongly opposes any diplomatic efforts towards Tehran and has lobbied the White House to assist in military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

According to Axios, citing three Israeli officials, in an attempt to influence the talks, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea met with Witkoff in Paris on Friday.

During the meeting, Witkoff reiterated that the Trump administration is seeking to curb Iran's uranium enrichment through diplomatic channels, the officials said.

Witkoff's spokesperson and the Israeli prime minister's office declined to comment to the U.S. media.

A report from The New York Times this week claimed that the Israeli government has been pushing for US support to strike Iran's nuclear facilities as early as next month.

The idea has reportedly gained support from some Trump officials, but has faced pushback from the administration's key members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard.

Trump disclosed negotiations with Iran during Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House last week, an announcement that reportedly surprised the Israeli leader.

On Thursday, the U.S. President reiterated his preference for a diplomatic outcome, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he was "not in a rush" to attack Iran.

"Iran has a chance to have a great country, and to live happily without death, and I’d like to see that," he said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff met in the Omani capital on Saturday for the first round of what both sides described as "constructive" talks.

Iran has ruled out a complete halt to its nuclear program but is open to restraining uranium enrichment, something that, according to Witkoff, might be endorsed by the government.

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