Israel has serious reservations about the Iran nuclear deal being put together in Vienna, new foreign minister Yair Lapid told his American counterpart in Rome.
Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions.
"Israel has some serious reservations about the Iran nuclear deal that is being put together in Vienna. We believe the way to discuss those disagreements is through direct...conversations, not in press conferences," Lapid said in his brief remarks before the meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began.
Lapid also said that Israel will be working to improve ties with Washington.
"In the past few years, mistakes were made. Israel's bipartisan standing was hurt and we will fix those mistakes together," he added.
Lapid said he had spoken with Democrats and Republicans since taking office and had “reminded them all that we share America’s most basic, basic values — freedom, democracy, free markets and constant search for peace.”
Blinken noted that even though the two governments are new, "the foundation that we’re working on is one of an enduring partnership, a relationship, friendship between the United States and Israel."
