Israel denies spying on US-Iran nuclear talks

 

           Relations between the White House and Benjamin Netanyahu's government have been strained 

    

Israel has strongly denied a report that it spied on US-led talks on Iran's nuclear programme in order to build a case against a deal.

A senior Israeli official told the BBC that the claims, reported in the Wall Street Journal, were "utterly false".
 The Journal said the White House had been particularly angered that Israel allegedly sought to share confidential details with US lawmakers and others.

   

Many Republicans in Congress are opposed to a deal with Iran.
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US Congress that a deal being discussed could "pave Iran's path to the bomb".
The US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China are seeking to reach agreement to curtail Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
They fear Iran wants to build a nuclear bomb - something Iran denies, insisting it is merely exercising its right to peaceful nuclear power.
Israel is not a party to the negotiations although it feels particularly threatened by the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran.