Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the international community on Sunday against easing sanctions on Iran following the election of a reformist-backed president, as the country’s nuclear efforts remain firmly in the hands of Iran’s extremist ruling clerics.
Netanyahu made the comments a day after the surprise victory by Hasan Rowhani in Iran’s presidential election was announced. Although Rowhani is considered a relative moderate and had the backing of Iranian reformists, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the ultimate authority on all state matters and key security policy decisions - including nuclear efforts, defence and foreign affairs - remain solidly in the hands of the ruling clerics and their powerful protectors, the Revolutionary Guard.
Netanyahu said that the Iranian clerics disqualified candidates they disagreed with from running in the election. He said the international community must not get caught in “wishful thinking” and ease the pressure on Tehran saying “Iran will be tested by its deeds.”
Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat, citing Iranian calls for Israel’s destruction, its support for anti-Israel militant groups and its missile and nuclear technology.
Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, a claim that Israel and many Western countries reject.
Netanyahu said that sanctions on Iran should be increased to pressure Tehran to end its suspect nuclear programme. “The more pressure increases on Iran so will the chance of ending Iran’s nuclear programme which remains the biggest threat to world peace,” Netanyahu said.