Israel vowed to do “whatever it takes” to thwart Iran from fabricating nuclear weapons, when it partook in the first-ever quadrilateral meeting with the United Arab Emirates, South Cyprus, and Greece, on Friday.
“We will do whatever it takes to prevent the extremist and antisemitic regime in Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi held.
The foreign ministers of South Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and Greece, Nikos Dendias also provided statements as did Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Ashkenazi invited the three diplomats to visit Israel in the near future.
Israel, South Cyprus, and Greece previously enjoyed regional partnerships, which they prolonged for the first time to include the UAE, as a symbol of the shifting alliances fetched about by the Abraham Accords.
“The meeting we held today is the first real step to expand the impact of the Abraham Accords with our partners Greece and South Cyprus. This new and important four-way partnership stretches from the shores of the Arabian Gulf to the shores of Europe,” Ashkenazi announced in the meeting.
During the discussions that took place in Paphos on Friday, negotiations were held on the dangers of both Iran and its proxy Hezbollah pretense to the Middle East, Ashkenazi said.
“Iran and its proxies bring destruction and instability to Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen,” Ashkenazi explained.
He said that, in the repercussion of sea skirmishes amid Iran and Israel and on the same day, Tehran moved nearer to its aptitude to produce a nuclear weapon with a statement indicating that it began uranium enrichment of 60%.
“Iran is striving to acquire nuclear weapons and continues to develop long-range missiles. Those would pose a significant threat to Israel and its neighbors,” Ashkenazi said.
The UAE, he said, believes that there should be a constructive engagement and prosperity in the region through such partnerships.
“I have strong confidence that we will continue on the path to furthering our partnership through positive dialogue,” Gargash said.
The four diplomates also discussed issues involving Turkey, Libya, and Syria.
