UK and Israel to unite in ‘thwarting’ Iran’s nuclear ambitions
The two nations are preparing to sign a pact aimed at enabling closer co-operation on defence and trade.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The foreign ministers of the UK and Israel have issued a fresh commitment to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons as they prepare to reach terms on a decade-long plan to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Israel’s foreign affairs minister Yair Lapid will come together in London on Monday to sign a “memorandum of understanding” aimed at stronger collaboration on issues such as cybersecurity, defence and trade.
In a joint article for The Daily Telegraph, the two ministers call the 10-year plan a “major step forward”, writing: “Israel and the UK are the closest of friends, and today we are deepening that partnership to become even closer.
The clock is ticking, which heightens the need for close cooperation with our partners and friends to thwart Tehran’s ambitions
“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.”
A major factor of the new pact is a commitment to work “night and day” to prevent Iran from “ever becoming a nuclear power”.
The ministers write: “The clock is ticking, which heightens the need for close co-operation with our partners and friends to thwart Tehran’s ambitions.”
It comes as indirect talks to resuscitate Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, meant to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, commence in Vienna.
Ms Truss and Mr Lapid also signalled negotiations will soon begin on a bespoke free trade agreement between the UK and Israel, “which would help us seize new opportunities in the industries of the future like services, science and technology”.