PM urges powers to issue Iran military threat

As nuclear talks in Kazakhstan draw to an end, Netanyahu says West must consider 'military sanctions' against increasingly-defiant Tehran

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 02.27.13 , 17:52

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented Wednesday on the nuclear negotiations between the West and Iran, saying that the six powers should clarify to Tehran that if it continues to pursue its nuclear program it would face "military sanctions."

As the talks drew to their end, Netanyahu said that if Iran's refusal persists, "There are other means of compelling Iran to adhere to the international community's demands."

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Netanyahu said that it was unlikely that the Islamic Republic would capitulate to the West's demands, and curb its nuclear endeavors.

"Just like North Korea, (Iran) continues to flout all international standards," Netanyahu said, adding that the international community should also toughen the financial sanctions imposed on the ayatollah's regime.

As the nuclear talks in Kazakhstan drew to an end Wednesday, Iran's chief negotiator Said Jalili told reporters that the negotiations were "positive" and that the offers made by the P5+1 group of nations' delegates were "More realistic than those presented in the past and made an effort to approach the positions of Iran."

According to Iran's Press TV, the next round of talks between Tehran and the six powers – Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany – will be held in April.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that two days of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers had been "useful," adding that a serious engagement by Iran could lead to a longer-term, comprehensive agreement.

Kerry, repeated that Washington was ready to hold bilateral talks with Iran.

Reuters contributed to this report