Netanyahu: World mustn't fall for Iranian ploy

Upon arrival in Israel, prime minister reiterates threat posed by Iran, says world mustn't 'alleviate sanctions as long as the Iranians do not dismantle their nuclear program'

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 10.04.13 , 16:54

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who landed in Israel Friday after appearing before the UN General Assembly in New York, said: "The world mustn’t fall for the Iranian ploy and alleviate the sanctions as long as the Iranians do not dismantle their nuclear program."

Netanyahu spoke on arrival back in Israel from the United States where Iran was the main topic in talks with President Barack Obama and his address at the UN.

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He added that he is set to meet with world leaders in the coming days and "stress the fact that sanctions on Iran can yield the desired effect."

US Secretary of State John Kerry assured Israel on Thursday that on Iran, "it's not words that will make a difference, it's actions," but stressed diplomacy must be exhausted before any military option.

Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, noting that he did not believe Iran's claims that its nuclear program was intended for research purposes, urging the international community to tighten sanctions on the Islamic republic, which he insisted was developing nuclear weapon.

The United States held out the possibility on Thursday of giving Iran some short-term sanctions relief in return for concrete steps to slow uranium enrichment and shed light on its nuclear program.

Iran's new President Hassan Rohani has taken a softer tone toward the West in an outreach that Israel dismisses as a trick aimed at removing crippling economic sanctions against Tehran.

The next talks between world powers and Iran on its controversial nuclear ambitions are due to take place in Geneva on October 15-16.