Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday morning appeared for the first time before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry, emphasizing that Israel is not obligated to keep a nuclear agreement made by other countries with Iran.

"I attribute great importance to the Knesset's parliamentary oversight of the work of the government in all areas, especially the most sacred of all – the national security of Israel," Bennett began. "The national security situation of Israel is good and is getting stronger, but it is not free of challenges that we will detail later."

"The primary importance this year is stabilizing the Israeli system. The Israeli system had been deteriorating for several years, which severely impaired the national security of Israel in all its aspects. We have stabilized the system, we passed a budget, the Israeli economy is strong and is growing by approximately 7% thanks to our policy against lockdowns, which has allowed the economy to return to normal. Thanks to this growth, we are taking quite a significant amount of money and investing in strengthening the IDF and the entire security establishment.

"I would say that this is strengthening of a kind we have not seen in years," Bennett said. "This strengthening is important for our existence and I am very pleased about it and am determined to complete it quickly."

Bennett emphasized, "Iran tops our list of challenges. Iran is the head of an octopus that constantly threatens Israel on all its borders via its proxies and its tentacles."

"We are dealing day and night with Iran, its malign activity, and its satellites. We are shifting to a concept of consistent offense and not just consistent defense."

He added: "Regarding the nuclear talks in Vienna, we are certainly concerned. It is important for me to say here clearly and unequivocally: Israel is not a party to the agreements. Israel is not bound to what will be written in the agreements if they are signed. Israel will maintain unlimited and unrestricted freedom of action, everywhere and at all times."

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was quoted by AFP as having said that, "The initiatives of the Iranian side and the negotiations that have taken place have put us on the right track. We are close to a good agreement, but to reach this good agreement in the short term, it must be pursued by the other side."