Netanyahu calls for Iran sanctions over nuclear 'violations'

PM accuses Tehran of ‘systematically’ breaching 2015 nuclear deal by hiding uranium sites and enriching fissure material; vows to curb Islamic Republic's ‘aggression’ in the region

AFP|
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged world powers Sunday to reimpose tough sanctions against Iran, vowing to curb Tehran's regional "aggression" hours after another deadly strike on pro-Iranian fighters in Syria.
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  • "The International Atomic Energy Agency has determined that Iran refused to give the agency's inspectors access to secret sites where Iran conducted secret nuclear military activity," Netanyahu told his cabinet.
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    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday
    (Photo: AFP)
    The UN nuclear watchdog said Friday that Iran had accumulated enriched uranium at nearly eight times the limit under a landmark 2015 deal, and has for months blocked inspections at sites where nuclear activity may have taken place.
    Netanyahu accused Iran of "systematically violating its commitments by hiding sites, enriching fissile material and in other ways."
    "In light of these discoveries, the international community must join the U.S. and reimpose crippling sanctions on Iran," he said.
    Iran has been progressively rolling back on its commitments under the 2015 agreement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's unilateral 2018 withdrawal from the accord and re-imposition of sanctions.
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    המתקן בבושאר
    המתקן בבושאר
    The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran
    (Photo: EPA)
    The deal to curb Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief was signed with the United States - under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama - along with Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
    Tehran has accused the remaining signatories of failing to sufficiently support it in the wake of Washington's withdrawal.
    In his Sunday remarks, Netanyahu reiterated Israel's longstanding vow to "act against Iran's aggression" and "not let Iran obtain nuclear weapons".
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    ארכיון משמרות המהפכה איראן
    ארכיון משמרות המהפכה איראן
    Revolutionary Guard Corps soldiers during a parade in Tehran
    (Photo: AP)
    Israel "will continue to act systematically against Iran's attempts to establish a military presence on our borders," he said.
    Late Saturday evening, at least 12 Iraqi and Afghan fighters in a pro-Iran base in eastern Syria's rural Deir Ezzor province died in eight strikes by unidentified aircraft.
    The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights could not identify the aircraft, but said Israel was likely behind the attack.
    Jerusalem has reportedly carried out hundreds of strikes targeting regime and Iranian-backed forces.
    A spokeswoman for the IDF refused to comment on the Saturday evening strikes.
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