28 Mar 2024
Saturday 15 June 2013 - 16:36
Story Code : 33000

Israel urges tougher Iran sanctions whoever wins vote

[caption id="attachment_25581" align="alignright" width="210"] U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel and his Israeli counterpart aalon walk together during an honour guard ceremony in Tel Aviv[/caption]
JERUSALEM: Israeli Defence MinisterMoshe Yaalonhas called for tougher sanctions againstIranover its nuclear program regardless of who is elected as its new president, public radio reported on Saturday.
The report came as partial results from Friday's election gave a clear lead to moderate Hassan Rowhani, who headed Iran's nuclear negotiating team under reformist presidentMohammad Khatamiin the early 2000s and has pledged to engage more with the international community.

"We must toughen the sanctions against Iran and make this country understand that the military option remains on the table to halt the progress of its dangerous nuclear program," the radio station quoted Yaalon as saying on a visit to the United States.

Asked about the presidential election, Yaalon replied: "It is (supreme leader Ayatollah)Ali Khameneiwho will decide who gets elected."

A Pentagon statement confirmed that Yaalon discussed Iran in talks with Defence SecretaryChuck Hagelon Friday but gave few details.

Hagel and Yaalon "reaffirmed that theUnited StatesandIsraelwill continue to work together to counter threats posed by Iran and remain prepared for a range of contingencies," the statement said.

Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuhad already said on Wednesday that he expects no change in Iran's nuclear policy whoever wins the election.

Israel is the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear power and has made preventing Iran from developing a rival arsenal its top strategic priority.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for civil power generation and medical purposes only.

By The Daily Star

 

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