NETANYAHU REPEATS ACCUSATIONS AGAINST IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Tel Aviv, 25 Rabiul Akhir 1435/25 February 2014 (MINA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeated his accusations against Iran, alleging that Tehran’s nuclear program energy poses the biggest threat to global security.

“I believe that this is the greatest challenge to the security of the world,” he said during a Monday press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on a two-day trip to Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu further noted that he wants to hold discussions with the German chancellor on ways to prevent Iran from acquiring “a nuclear weapon,” Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

On Sunday, the Israeli prime minister voiced discontent over the progress in nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers, claiming that the Islamic Republic is still seeking to acquire a “nuclear arms capability.”

“Iran, in fact, is getting everything and giving virtually nothing,” he told the cabinet on the eve of Merkel’s visit.

Israel – the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East

The Israeli regime is widely believed to be the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. The regime reportedly maintains between 200 and 400 atomic warheads, but under its policy of so-called nuclear ambiguity, it has never denied nor confirmed its possession of the weapons of mass destruction.

Furthermore, Tel Aviv has never allowed any inspection of its nuclear facilities and continues to defy international calls to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — Russia, China, France, Britain, and the United States — plus Germany held three days of talks in the Austrian capital, Vienna, which ended on February 20.

The talks in Vienna were follow-up to earlier negotiations in Geneva, which resulted in a landmark interim deal between Iran and the six countries in November 2013. The deal took effect on January 20.

The next round of the talks between Iran and the six world powers are to be held in Vienna on March 17. (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic New Agency (MINA)