US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman says the United States is ready to discuss additional security assistance to Israel in the wake of the Iran nuclear agreement.

Sherman, the State Department's chief negotiator on the Iran nuclear talks, told the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday that Defense Secretary Ash Carter recently visited Israel to discuss the issue.

She said Washington is prepared to discuss further measures to enhance Israel’s security when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ready to do so.

Carter visited Israel on July 21 and 22 where he held meetings with Israel leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Carter-Netanyahu meeting reportedly continued for up to two hours. However, the two men did not make any public comment about it.



[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="550"] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) welcomes US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ahead of a meeting at Netanyahu's office in al-Quds on July 21, 2015. (AFP photo)[/caption]

On July 21, Carter met Moshe Yaalon, the Israeli minister for military affairs, and indicated the United States was ready to boost military ties with Israel.

On his way to Tel Aviv, Carter told reporters that the nuclear agreement does not prevent Washington from using military force against Iran if it deems it necessary.

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany – announced the conclusion of nuclear negotiations in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on July 14, following more than two weeks of intensive talks.

According to the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran will be recognized by the United Nations as a nuclear power and will continue its uranium enrichment program.

But some restrictions will be placed on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the removal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Netanyahu has condemned the Iran nuclear agreement, saying Tel Aviv is not bound with US policies.

He has also described it as "a historic mistake" and said he would do everything he could to block it in the US Congress.

The US Congress is due to vote on whether to approve or disapprove of the nuclear conclusion in September.

By Press TV