ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran’s security chief on Tuesday warned Washington against adopting Tel Aviv’s “destructive role” and its position on US-Iran nuclear talks, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the US. 

“Netanyahu is now on his way to the United States. Americans must think wisely and not allow him, through posturing, to imply before his flight that 'I want to go and teach Americans the framework of the nuclear negotiations,’” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said in a statement. 

Washington “must remain alert to the destructive role of the Zionists,” he stressed. 

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to hold high-level talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The move may be concerning for Iranian authorities, with Israel having long demandedthat  Tehran halt its uranium enrichment and missile program.

Ahead of his departure, the Israeli premier said that his talks with Trump will focus on a range of issues, including “first and foremost the negotiations with Iran.” 

“I will present to the President our positions regarding the principles of the negotiations, the important principles, and in my view, they are important not only for Israel, but for everyone in the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East,” Netanyahu stated. 

Iran and the US held indirect nuclear talks in Muscat on Friday, marking the first time the two sides have sat down for negotiations since June of last year, when talks broke down after Israel launched a full-fledged war against the Islamic republic.

Trump on Saturday described the opening round of new nuclear talks with Iran as “very good” while doubling down on his threat of a US naval fleet approaching Iranian waters.

The talks come against the backdrop of heightened US military presence near Iran, with a “massive armada” deployed in the area as Trump mulls over potential military action in light of Tehran’s crackdown on the recent protests.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that talks with Iran should include its missile program and alleged sponsorship of terrorism, along with the nuclear issue, for Washington and Tehran’s discussions to “lead to something meaningful.” 

While Tehran has displayed willingness to engage in talks regarding limiting its nuclear program, it has repeatedly stated that its ballistic missile program is “not subject to negotiation.”