The administration of Donald Trump has reassured Israel that there was no change in US policies towards Iran, an Israeli government official has said.
The official said that Washington’s reassurance came following recent statements made by Trump on his willingness to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, a member of Israel's security cabinet, said on Wednesday Trump's offer of talks was a "ladder" to safety for a ruling system he said was on the point of collapse, but he was not surprised that Tehran rejected it.
"It is hard to see the Iranians… being agreeable to such a meeting with someone who only a few weeks ago basically sank an agreement with which they were so pleased. But this is the right kind of process with the Iranians," Hanegbi told Israel Radio.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau has been a major supporter of Trump’s decision to pull Washington out of the 2015 nuclear deal between world powers and Iran.
Washington is set to reimpose full sanctions on Iran from August 6, a move that Israel sees as an opportunity to put Iran under US and Israeli pressure.
