WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday once again warned the major world powers against rushing into a "bad" deal with Iran over its nuclear program, as the deadline for ending negotiations is around the corner.
The hawkish Israeli leader made this opinion known during an interview aired on ABC News' "This Week" program Sunday.
"A bad deal would enable Iran to remain with thousands of centrifuges which it could use to enrich uranium, which is what you need for a nuclear bomb," he said. "It could do so in a very short time."
He also advised the six powers -- the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China plus Germany -- against easing sanctions on Iran in a hasty way.
While saying he does not know whether a deal can be reached in time, Netanyahu reiterated that "It's important that there won't be a bad deal."
"I think the key principle is this: Don't dismantle sanctions before you dismantle Iran's capacity to make a nuclear bomb," he said. "As I understand it, the Iranians are nowhere near to accepting that."
Hope for a comprehensive deal by Monday is fading, as gaps remain on key issues like the size and scope of Iran's nuclear program, particularly the number of centrifuges Iran will be allowed to operate, and the nuclear-relevant sanction relief for Iran.
Iran and the six powers began their latest round of talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna Tuesday.
Netanyahu, who had threatened time and again military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, declined to say how he would respond to a deal that leaves Iran with the capacity to "break out" and produce a nuclear weapon. He said that his country was doing its best to "influence people not to make a bad deal."
|
