Netanyahu Slams Agreement between Gantz, Lieberman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)
TT
20

Netanyahu Slams Agreement between Gantz, Lieberman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he doesn’t rule out the formation of an expanded government that would basically include Likud party’s “natural partners,” right-wing and Haredi parties.

Netanyahu’s comments appear to be part of a front-line arrangement against Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu and Benny Gantz’s Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) announcement on Tuesday of signing a surplus vote agreement ahead of Israel's September 17 election.

The Premier slammed the agreement, noting that Lieberman is working on the formation of a left-wing government.

“Lapid and Gantz signed with Lieberman, it is in fact a new thing,” Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page, mocking the situation.

Likud slammed the two parties for the deal they struck. “Lieberman signed a surplus vote agreement with Lapid and Gantz after declaring openly that he would support them should they gain the premiership,” a statement by the party said.

“Whoever wants Netanyahu to head the next government should vote only for the Likud,” the statement added.

Lieberman described the agreement as a mere technical measure, not an alliance or coalition between the two political groups.

However, Israeli media said the agreement was ultimately aimed at recommending Gantz as prime minister, after Lieberman demanded that Netanyahu form a government that would include his party, Likud and Blue and White.

Beiteinu, meanwhile, called the agreement a “mere technical matter” and stated that they “will not risk losing a Knesset seat.”

“This agreement is normal and whoever criticizes it doesn’t have the right after surrendering to the reality imposed by the factions in Gaza and paying money to Hamas,” referring to Netanyahu and Likud.

Netanyahu has earlier refused the idea of a unified government along with Gantz, who said he would accept it if it doesn’t include Netanyahu.

This agreement boosts a possible post-election alliance between Gantz and Lieberman, whose party would balance between the right-wing Likud-led and other Blue and White parties.

The electoral race in Israel has been raging between Likud and Blue and White.

Opinion polls show that Likud and Blue and White retain their positions with a single seat in favor of Likud party.



Iran Says Direct Nuclear Talks with US Possible Under Suitable Conditions

 Cars drive on a motorway in southern Tehran on August 11, 2025. (AFP)
Cars drive on a motorway in southern Tehran on August 11, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

Iran Says Direct Nuclear Talks with US Possible Under Suitable Conditions

 Cars drive on a motorway in southern Tehran on August 11, 2025. (AFP)
Cars drive on a motorway in southern Tehran on August 11, 2025. (AFP)

Iran could hold direct nuclear talks with the United States if conditions are suitable, first Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said on Tuesday, according to state media.

But he said US demands for Tehran to drop uranium enrichment entirely were "a joke".

A sixth round of talks between Tehran and Washington was suspended following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.

Both powers accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, an accusation Tehran has rejected.

"Iran is ready for negotiations under equal conditions in order to safeguard its interests ... The country's stance is in the direction that people want and, should there be suitable conditions, we are even ready for direct talks," Aref said.

Previous rounds of negotiations, which started in April, were indirect, mediated by Oman. Washington says uranium enrichment in Iran constitutes a pathway to developing nuclear weapons and should be dropped.

On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made a controversial statement in favor of resuming negotiations with the US regardless of current levels of distrust.

"You don’t want to talk? Well then, what do you want to do? Do you want to go to war? ... Going to talks does not mean we intend to surrender," he said, adding that such issues should not be "approached emotionally".

A senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Aziz Ghazanfari, reacting to Pezeshkian's comments on Monday, said foreign policy requires discretion, and careless statements by authorities can have serious consequences for the country.