All news

Netanyahu: Iran's statements on nuclear program just a ploy

"Iran believes that by soothing words or symbolic actions it could gain time to approach the creation of a nuclear bomb," Israel's Prime Minister said
Photo ITAR-TASS/EPA/ABIR SULTUN
Photo ITAR-TASS/EPA/ABIR SULTUN

UNITED NATIONS, September 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Iranian leadership’s statements on the readiness to engage in a dialogue on its nuclear program are just a ploy in order to continue the development of nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated on Tuesday. He is taking part the 68th session of the UN General Assembly.

Iran believes that by soothing words or symbolic actions it could gain time to approach the creation of a nuclear bomb. The same as North Korea before, Iran would try to get rid of sanctions by proposing symbolical concessions in order to develop nuclear weapons in a short time period, he said.

“Despite the charm offensive by the new Iranian president, the policies of the regime toward Israel have not changed,” Netanyahu said in a statement. Netanyahu said the world “should not be fooled” by signs of moderation from Tehran. He said Iran’s new outreach to the West is merely a ploy to ease international sanctions while it secretly builds a nuclear weapon.

“This is exactly Iran’s strategy - to talk and play for time in order to advance its ability to achieve nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. “The international community must test Iran not by its words but by its actions."

According to Netanyahu, “Israel would welcome a genuine diplomatic solution that truly dismantles Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons. But we will not be fooled by half-measures that merely provide a smokescreen for Iran’s continual pursuit of nuclear weapons. And the world should not be fooled either,” stated the Israeli prime minister.

Earlier that day, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani, speaking from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly, said that the creation of nuclear weapons was contrary to Iran’s “fundamental religious and ethical convictions.” According to him, removing any suspicions about its nuclear program meets Iran’s national interests.

After Rouhani’s speech, Israeli Minister of International Relations, Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Yuval Steinitz held a news conference at the UN headquarters. He called the Iranian president’s rhetoric a “game of deception.” “Rouhani came here today in order to cheat the world,” Steinitz told reporters after the speech. “And unfortunately many people are willing to be cheated.”

He also stated that besides new rhetoric, the Iranian president has not undertaken any commitments to implement UN Security Council resolutions.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech is scheduled for the last day of the general debate of the UN General Assembly - October 1.