A planned high-level meeting between U.S. and Israeli officials regarding Iran's nuclear program was abruptly canceled following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism of a perceived lack of U.S. military aid. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, was intended to address new revelations about Iran's nuclear activities.
Netanyahu's public criticism, delivered via a pre-recorded video in English, highlighted what he described as a concerning reduction in U.S. military support for Israel. This criticism led to the cancellation of the meeting, according to a senior official.
Despite the cancellation, a scheduled visit by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the U.S. next week is still on track, along with other planned discussions on aid distribution and coordination.
While a White House official indicated that plans for the meeting were still in progress, there was no confirmation of a rescheduled date.
Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser, expressed concerns that the Biden administration's policies may not fully support Israel's defense needs, suggesting a potential alignment with Iran that could jeopardize Israel's security.
The canceled meeting was expected to cover information about Iran's acquisition of a computer modeling program with potential nuclear weapons implications. The intentions behind Iran's program remain unclear, with officials divided on its significance.
Despite the canceled meeting, ongoing discussions between Israel and the U.S. at various levels continue to be a priority for both countries, according to a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office.
Israeli officials who were en route to the U.S. were reportedly informed of the meeting's cancellation, causing a disruption in their travel plans.
Netanyahu's video referenced a recent conversation with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where he expressed gratitude for U.S. support but also raised concerns about the alleged withholding of weapons and ammunition by the administration.
