Any agreement to end the conflict with Iran must require Tehran to surrender its nuclear material and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Danny Ayalon said Sunday.
Appearing on Newsmax's "Sunday Report," Ayalon said President Donald Trump appears to have a clear strategy as the United States pauses nightly strikes against Iran following two weeks of military operations.
"I think President Trump has a very clear vision and the way to pursue it," he said. "The question is whether the ayatollahs in Tehran will play ball."
Ayalon accused Iran of attempting to intimidate the West by threatening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and targeting U.S. allies in the region.
"They thought that they could push the United States, actually the entire Western world," he said. "They thought they could dictate passage in the Strait of Hormuz, tax it, collect fees from it, and continue attacks on ships and on all the allies of the United States in the region."
He said any diplomatic agreement must guarantee free navigation through the strategic waterway.
"The Strait of Hormuz is a free international passage," Ayalon said. "No country has the right to tax it and collect fees. We don't do it anywhere else in the world."
Ayalon also said Iran's nuclear program must remain the central focus of any negotiations.
"We should not lose sight of the main reason for the war in Iran, and this is their nuclear ambitions," he said. "Any agreement should include taking the nuclear material out of Iran."
Ayalon's comments came ahead of a planned White House meeting Tuesday between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said the talks come at a critical moment and are expected to focus on coordinating the next phase of U.S. and Israeli policy toward Iran.
"I believe the two leaders will coordinate how we move forward in the best interests of our countries, which really coincide," Ayalon said.
He said Netanyahu's top priority will be ensuring Iran cannot retain nuclear material and is subject to a stringent international inspection regime.
"I think what is on top of Prime Minister Netanyahu's agenda is how to make sure that Iran will no longer hold any nuclear material and that it will agree to a very, very robust monitoring regime," he said.
Ayalon warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat well beyond the Middle East.
"With nuclear capabilities, everyone will be at their mercy," he said. "Already, they cover Europe, but in their plans is to reach the United States."
He also said the reported U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement is likely to be discussed during the meeting, adding that Netanyahu would want details about the proposal.
"I think the prime minister will be very happy to hear from the president what it really entails," Ayalon said.
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