Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi warned Israel over recent threats against its nuclear energy industry in a press conference on Monday 29 August.

The President made it clear that Israel was not able to put its threats against Iran into practice, but reiterated that nuclear weapons had no place in Iran’s foreign policy agenda.

“The nuclear activities, the nuclear industry, and having nuclear capabilities are the Islamic Republic of Iran’s rights, and nobody or no official can deny Iran this right,” Raisi stated.

President Raisi has previously cautioned that any action taken against the Islamic Republic would immediately draw a direct response from Iran’s military.

Israel has scrambled in recent weeks to prevent an agreement between the US and Iran to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Israel has both used diplomatic means to influence the decision-making of the Biden administration and military threats directly against Iran.

While the Biden White House has largely excluded Israel from the negotiations, a high-profile visit by Israeli officials to Washington DC is expected at the beginning of September.

Amongst the delegation is the Director of the Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, who is set to meet with members of Congress.

Israel’s political front has been united in criticizing the negotiations, with Prime Minister Yair Lapid and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu both trying to undermine the nuclear deal.

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the nuclear deal as a “path of gold” to a nuclear weapon.

Israel has been active in trying to disrupt the stability of Iran, with Iran’s security forces dismantling an espionage network associated with the Mossad just last month.

According to reports, members of Mossad planned to carry out attacks using surveillance equipment as well as powerful explosives.

The intelligence ministry said the goals of the Mossad were “predetermined.”