Israel's security is a priority, no sanctions lifted

Haaretz

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, who is also chief U.S. negotiator for Iran's nuclear program, assured Israel that the U.S. has not offered Iran any sanctions relief and that Israeli security is a priority.

"Israel's security is bedrock. There is no closer security relationship than what we have with each other."

In an interview with Channel 10's Tamar Ish Shalom Sunday, Sherman said the Obama administration is committed to stopping Iran's nuclear program from advancing as a first step, "while we negotiate and offer limited, temporary reversible sanctions relief, but keep in place the fundamental architecture of oil and banking sanctions."

Sherman stressed that nothing has occurred yet, and that "no deal is better than a bad deal." She also said that she knows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes, as the U.S. that that best answer is a peacfeul negotiated solution. "Israel knows as well, if not better, than any country, the cost of war, military action."

Asked if she trusts Rohani's intentions, Sherman said "We do not approach this on the basis of trust because we know there's great deal of mistrust on both sides."

The subjects of missing soldier Ron Arad and reports that the U.S. sources leaked the Israeli strike on Syria were both raised in the interview - and on both counts Sherman said she did not know or did not have the answer.