Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands after a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29 last year. AP Yonhap News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a cease-fire memorandum of understanding (MOU) being pursued by the United States and Iran in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said on the 11th (local time).

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Today, President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu,” adding that they discussed ‘a memorandum of understanding (MOU) being pursued with Iran for the purpose of initiating negotiations’.

The statement continued, “Although Israel is not a party to this memorandum, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed appreciation for President Trump’s firm promise that the final agreement to be produced as a result of future talks would include the removal of (Iran’s) enriched uranium material, the dismantling of uranium enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production, and an end to Iran’s support for proxy forces in the region.”

Earlier that day, at a proclamation signing ceremony at the White House, President Trump said, “We have just reached a great agreement regarding the war with Iran. Only the final tuning of the document remains.” He added, “It will be concluded within the next few days, and a signing ceremony will likely be held in Europe.” He further said that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened immediately upon the signing of the cessation agreement, and that Iran had agreed never to possess nuclear weapons.

However, Iran struck a different tone from President Trump’s claims. Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the state-run IRNA news agency that “all reports about the time and place of the signing are merely ‘speculation’,” adding, “While a significant part of the draft text has been arranged, the United States has repeatedly changed its position during the negotiations.” He also emphasized that his country would not compromise on its ‘red lines’ (nonnegotiable demands) during the negotiations.