Pyotr Lukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The New York Times published a report that since the very beginning of Obama’s term he has conducted direct negotiations with Iran. It appeared to be the hottest news in Israel this week. Israeli observers state that after this publication the political administration of the country is rather embarrassed.
Some ministers consider direct negotiations between the US and Mahmud Ahmadinejad as a betrayal of Israeli interests. They fear that Obama could sacrifice Israeli interests in favor of normalization of relations with Tehran and the whole Muslim world. Others don’t see anything bad in the publication. “I welcome any negotiations – secret or public – if they lead to ceasing of the Iranian nuclear program,” the former head of the Headquarters of the Israeli Army, Moshe Ayalon, stated.
The third group believes the information is fake (even though The New York Times is a very serious periodical). It is interesting that either Iran or the US reject this information and insist on absence of any secret contacts between two countries.
The fourth version states that Obama decided to conduct secret negotiations with Iran at some point, but they were quickly ceased.
The most unexpected point of view on the publication was expressed by the former head of foreign intelligence Mossad, Efraim Halevi. He thinks that Israel and the US should have started a direct dialogue with Iran and have tried to agree long ago. “Those who are afraid of the fact that such negotiations could give legitimization to Ahmadinejad are wrong. He is legitimate for a certain part of the world. At the same time, sanctions have brought their influence, and the Iranian authorities try to find a way from the deadlock. They could try. However, these efforts would probably be fruitless, but some chances for success remain,” Halevi said.
Vestnik Kavkaza asked the researcher of the Iran Studying Center in Tel Aviv University, Dr. Raza Zimt, to comment on the article in The New York Times. “The publication was initiated by Barack Obama’s rivals and has “the pre-election” character. Since 1979 the US has almost no contacts with Iran. None of the sides trust each other, and conduction of secret negotiations in this situation is impossible. Moreover, if there is any point in conducting negotiations, Iran should do it with Europe rather than with the US. All heavy sanctions come from Europe, as Tehran has no economic ties with America.”
