Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu called on Tuesday for immediate "crippling sanctions"
against arch-foe Iran over its controversial nuclear drive.
"Iran is racing forward to produce nuclear weapons in
brazen defiance of the international community, and the
international community must decide if it is serious about
neutralising this threat to Israel, the region and the entire
world," Netanyahu told a gathering of EU ambassadors in
Jerusalem.
"I believe that what is required right now is tough
action from the international community. This means not
moderate sanctions or watered-down sanctions; this means
crippling sanctions and these sanctions must be applied
right now."
Iran on Tuesday declared it had started the process of
enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, defying world powers
who have warned of new sanctions unless the Islamic republic
halts enrichment.
Netanyahu also urged the diplomats to condemn a statement
by Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who claimed
on Sunday that the destruction of Israel was "imminent."
"In the last two days the brutal regime in Tehran has
made more outrageous statements, including the implicit call
for the extermination of my country," Netanyahu said.
"Israel expects all responsible governments, including
all those represented here, to forcefully condemn these
outrageous statements. But I think what is required is a lot
more than words," he said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 22:18