Netanyahu urges UK, France not to ease sanctions on Iran
Ahead of world powers' nuclear talks with Iran, prime minister warns West not to fall into Iranian ruse; pleads with Hollande, Cameron not to ease sanctions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the leaders of Britain and France to urge them not to ease sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, ahead of talks between Iran and world powers.
An Israeli official said on Saturday Netanyahu phoned British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande to tell them sanctions were close to achieving their goal.
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"Until Iran dismantles its military nuclear program, sanctions must not be eased – on the contrary. Only the pressure brought Iran to this point, and only the continuation of pressure and its strengthening can bring them to dismantle their nuclear program," Netanyahu was quoted as saying.
The prime minister met US President Barack Obama last week in Washington and made a speech at the UN General Assembly in which he said Israel was ready to stand alone to deny Iran nuclear weapons.
Iranian President Hassan Rohani said his country's nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes and since his June election victory has been trying to ease friction with the West in an attempt to win relief from international sanctions.
Western diplomats have played down any suggestion Iran's new openness will result in an immediate loosening of sanctions.
But they are also hoping that talks on October 15-16 between six world powers – including Britain and France – and Iran will deliver an opportunity to make progress on ending the decade-long dispute.
Despite reports that the six powers intend allow Iran to enrich uranium to 3% as long as it agrees not to enrich to 20%, Washington and Europe have noted they would not be willing to consent to any level of uranium enrichment by the Islamic republic.
On Thursday, Finance Minister Yair Lapid met with US Vice President Joe Biden, and the two discussed the issue of nuclear Iran. Lapid attempted to halt any reduction of economic sanctions to Iran.
Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to this report
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