Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Netanyahu to EU diplomats: Crippling Iran sanctions needed now

(Haaretz).Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for immediate and "crippling" sanctions against Iran on Tuesday, just as the Islamic Republic began its production of higher-grade nuclear fuel.



"Iran is racing forward to produce nuclear weapons in brazen defiance of the international community. The international community must decide if it is serious about neutralizing this threat to Israel, the region and the entire world. I believe what's required right now is tough action from the international community. This means not partial and moderate sanctions, or water downed sanctions, this means crippling sanctions and these sanctions must be applied right now." Netanyahu told European diplomats that dealt only with the Iranian issue.

"This means crippling sanctions and these sanctions must be applied right now," he declared, adding that Iran's nuclear development was being carried out in "brazen defiance" of the international community. "What is required is a lot more than words."