JERUSALEM: During the nuclear discussions in Vienna, Israel sent envoys to meet with official negotiators from many international nations. Joshua Zarka, the head of the Israeli Foreign Ministry's strategic department, met with IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi on Monday, according to reports, citing Israel's state-owned Kan news TV.

The head of Russia's delegation to the nuclear talks, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted on Tuesday that he met with "Israeli colleagues" in Vienna and "discussed IAEA-related issues." According to Israeli media sources, Israeli officials also met with US negotiator Rob Malley and the negotiators of the remaining parties to the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has not immediately commented on the meetings. Israeli representatives are not present at the Vienna nuclear talks, which began in April to resurrect the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Israel sent diplomats to Vienna for the first time since the negotiations began.

On a visit to Bahrain, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Tuesday that reverting to the 2015 agreement would be a "strategic mistake." Iran claims that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

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