Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and his counterpart in the United Kingdom Elizabeth Truss signed a 10-year agreement on Monday to cooperate on cyber expertise, tech, trade and defense.
Hailing the deal in an op-ed in The Telegraph, Lapid and Truss said the agreement would transform “our close friendship into an even closer partnership.”
They wrote that “as outward-looking, patriotic nations, we know that the best way forward lies in building stronger economic, technological and security ties with like-minded partners.”
“This pact will spur technological breakthroughs, which have the potential to change the world, create high-quality jobs in both our countries and provide tools to our security forces,” they added, promising that the partnership will help both countries maintain their leadership edge.
Lapid, speaking in London with Truss, said Iran is only taking part in talks to gain funds.
“This is what they have done in the past. And this is what they will do this time as well. The intelligence is clear, it leaves no doubt,” said Lapid, reported Reuters.
“A nuclear Iran will thrust the entire Middle East into a nuclear arms race; we will find ourselves in a new Cold War. But this time the bomb will be in the hands of religious fanatics who are engaged in terrorism as a way of life,” he said.
“The world must prevent this and it can prevent this: tighter sanctions, tighter supervision, conduct any talks from a position of strength,” he added.
Lapid and Truss also said that the two countries would “work night and day to prevent the Iranian regime from ever becoming a nuclear power.”
“Many fear the skies are darkening worldwide due to the pandemic, the threat of terrorism and hostile actors seeking the upper hand. But we believe that with the right approach, freedom and democracy will prevail,” they wrote.
Lapid arrived in London on the evening of Nov. 28 to begin “a round of diplomatic meetings, against the backdrop of the opening of nuclear talks in Vienna,” according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
Lapid is scheduled to head to Paris on Tuesday to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.
