• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists any U.S.-Iran nuclear deal must include the physical removal of enriched uranium and nuclear infrastructure from Iran.
  • The stance represents a hardening of Israel's red line, moving beyond enrichment limits to demand dismantlement.
  • The comments come amid ongoing U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, with markets watching for impacts on sanctions and oil prices.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on CNBC that any nuclear agreement with Iran must mandate the removal of enriched material and related infrastructure from the country, calling it a non-negotiable condition for Israel's security. “We need a way to get the nuclear material out of Iran,” Netanyahu said, framing the demand as essential to preventing Tehran from developing a weapon. The remarks, made during an interview on Thursday, signal a tougher Israeli stance as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continue talks in Geneva.

Netanyahu's position goes beyond prior frameworks that focused on capping enrichment levels and stockpile sizes. According to people familiar with the matter, Israeli officials have been pressing Washington to include explicit provisions for exporting enriched uranium and dismantling centrifuges in any final deal. “Limits alone won't cut it,” a senior Israeli official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. has so far not publicly endorsed the removal requirement, though American negotiators are said to be weighing verification-heavy options.

The diplomatic push comes as Iran’s enrichment stockpile has grown, with the IAEA reporting levels near 60% purity. Without a deal that satisfies Israel, Netanyahu warned that military action remains an option. “We will not allow a nuclear-armed Iran,” he said. Markets are already pricing in elevated geopolitical risk, with Brent crude trading near $87 a barrel on Friday, up 2% on the week. Analysts say a failure to reach an agreement could trigger a spike in oil prices and disrupt European energy import strategies.

Efforts to reach an Iranian spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful. The talks in Geneva are expected to continue into next week, with both sides under pressure to bridge gaps on sanctions relief and verification. Netanyahu’s interview has injected fresh urgency into the negotiations, as diplomats scramble to find a formula that satisfies Israel’s demand for material removal while offering Iran enough incentives to comply.