PM call with PM Netanyahu: 9 October 2017

9 Oct 2017 01:04 PM

Theresa May spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about security, trade and the nuclear deal with Iran.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today.

They agreed that security cooperation between the UK and Israel was very strong and would continue, particularly on counter-terrorism where we faced shared challenges.

They also agreed our bilateral trade relationship would continue to go from strength to strength, noting the UK-Israel trade working group had already met and discussions on how to ensure the freest possible post-Brexit trading relationship had been constructive.

They discussed Iran, with the Prime Minister noting the importance of the nuclear deal with Iran which has neutralised the possibility of the Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons for more than a decade. The Prime Minister said the UK remains firmly committed to the deal and that we believe it is vitally important for regional security. The Prime Minister said it was important that the deal is carefully monitored and properly enforced, and that both sides deliver on their commitments.

They agreed that the international community needed to be clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and the wider Middle East, and that the international community should continue working together to push back against Iran’s destabilising regional activity.