Addressing the Knesset, incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett contended that Iran’s nuclear program was “approaching a critical point”, while highlighting that “Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Israel is not a party to the [nuclear] deal and will maintain full freedom to act”. He further cautioned the U.S. that “renewing the nuclear deal is a mistake”. Bennett also spoke with President Biden, with the two sides affirming their intent to “consult closely on all matters related to regional security, including Iran”. Defence Minister Benny Gantz, too, emphasised that “we will continue to work with the [Biden] administration and strengthen our ties so that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons. We will influence them so that the deal, if it is signed, will set Iran back”. “We will oppose a bad deal… but we will do it in the proper forum and with the appropriate means”, he added. The new foreign minister, Yair Lapid, additionally remarked with reference to the JCPOA that “this is a bad deal… Israel will use every option at its disposal in order to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon”. Addressing the change in Israeli leadership, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson, indicated: “I don’t think Israel’s policies will change with the new government”.