JERUSALEM
Two Israeli ministers on Thursday reacted angrily to the announcement this evening of a deal between the P5+1 powers and Iran on the latter's nuclear program.
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said the world's "most radical Islamic terror regime" received an official "kosher stamp" for "its illicit nuclear program."
"This is a regime that cannot be trusted and which has already violated consecutive UN resolutions," Bennet wrote on Twitter.
He argued that the deal paved the way for Iran to eventually obtain a nuclear weapon, to further destabilize the Middle East and to continue "spreading terror across the globe."
"It is important to stress: Deal or no deal, Israel will do what is needed to protect itself and its citizens," Bennet said.
Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz, meanwhile, said the announcement did not mean that Iran had reached an agreement with world powers on its nuclear program.
"Therefore, Israel will maintain its international efforts to prevent a deal," he was quoted by Israel Public Radio as saying.
A short time earlier, some western officials – holding talks with Iran in Switzerland – said that they had agreed some guidelines with Iran in preparation for reaching a final deal on the country's nuclear program.
The initial agreement includes the termination of European nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions, according to High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
She added that the United States would also cease the application of all nuclear-related secondary economic and financial sanctions, simultaneously with the International Atomic Energy Agency-verified implementation by Iran of its key nuclear commitments.
Israel says a nuclear Iran will pose threats to Middle East peace and stability.
