By By Ken Hanly Nov 11, 2013 in Politics Paris - The election of the reformist Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and his strong diplomatic efforts to hammer out a deal with western powers on outstanding issues over Iran's nuclear program led many observers to expect a rapprochement with Tehran. A French member of parliament telephoned French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Geneva at the weekend to warn him that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would attack Iran’s nuclear facilities if the P5+1 nations did not stiffen their terms on a deal with Iran, Israel’s Channel 2 News reported Sunday. The French MP, “If you don’t toughen your positions, Netanyahu will attack Iran. I know this. I know him. You have to toughen your positions in order to prevent war.” According to The Saudi government had repeatedly made it clear they opposed diplomacy with Iran, while playing up the idea that they wanted significant extra arms purchases in anticipation of having to defend their coast when the international community eventually attacks Iran outright. Saudi Arabia has plenty of cash to buy influence. As well as funding rebel groups in Syria, the Saudis actually tried to bribe Russia to stop supporting the Assad regime. However, Iran continues to meet some of the demands of the west including expanded monitoring. An It is a so-called "roadmap'' that will give UN inspectors a broader reach, including access to a heavy water reactor under construction and a key uranium mine. In response to this development, the French foreign minister claimed that he was hopeful a deal could be reached with Iran, although there were a few points upon which Tehran still had to make an effort. The minister Laurent Fabius said in a radio interview: "We are not far from an agreement with the Iranians, but we are not there yet". Whether France will continue to follow along a path dictated by Israel and Saudi Arabia remains to be seen. The appended video from Press TV based in Iran claims that it is Israel that sabotaged any deal. The video contains statements from Netanyahu that make it clear he was doing everything he could to have the deal rejected. However, this does not mean that France was not also influenced in its decision by pressure and offers from Saudi Arabia as well. A rapprochement with Iran that led to removal of some sanctions could be of benefit not only to Iran but to western business interests. However, Israel is staunchly opposed to any deal with Iran, so much so that it has threatened an attack should the present deal be accepted:The French MP, Meyer Habib , allegedly said:According to antiwar.com and also this source , the Hollande government took this threat as a reason to sabotage the deal but also in return to gain arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a country that along with Israel strongly opposes the deal. Of course, this incentive to sabotage the deal is not mentioned by the French. As one article puts it:Saudi Arabia has plenty of cash to buy influence. As well as funding rebel groups in Syria, the Saudis actually tried to bribe Russia to stop supporting the Assad regime. However, Iran continues to meet some of the demands of the west including expanded monitoring. An expanded monitoring deal was reached with UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano:In response to this development, the French foreign minister claimed that he was hopeful a deal could be reached with Iran, although there were a few points upon which Tehran still had to make an effort. The minister Laurent Fabius said in a radio interview:Whether France will continue to follow along a path dictated by Israel and Saudi Arabia remains to be seen.The appended video from Press TV based in Iran claims that it is Israel that sabotaged any deal. The video contains statements from Netanyahu that make it clear he was doing everything he could to have the deal rejected. However, this does not mean that France was not also influenced in its decision by pressure and offers from Saudi Arabia as well. This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com More about France, Iran nuclear negotiations, saudi french relations More news from France Iran nuclear negotia... saudi french relatio...