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U.S. national security adviser in Israel for Iran talks

08 May 2014 00:08 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA.U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice arrived in Israel Wednesday on a two-day visit expected to focus on Iran, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Rice will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres.

Netanyahu and his cadre of right-wing ministers stressed in recent years that a nuclear Iran poses "existential threat" on Israel, whereas the U.S. is pushing for a more appeasing approach toward Tehran.

White House spokesperson Jay Carney said Tuesday that Rice's visit "is an opportunity for representatives from the U.S. and Israel at high levels to discuss (the Iranian) issue, among many others."

The Israeli premier has voiced his opposition in the past to talks by Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States with Iran and called an interim agreement reached in November a "historic mistake."

He wants to rid Iran of any nuclear capabilities whereas Tehran insists on its legitimate right to nuclear activities that it says are for peaceful purposes only.

Rice's visit will also cover the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which were suspended two weeks ago by Israel after the Palestinian Fatah and Hamas factions signed a unity agreement.

This is Rice's first trip to the region since assuming her post last year.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rice posted a tweet that she was "looking forward to robust and intensive consultations" with Israeli and Palestinian officials.