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Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with world leaders about Iran’s nuclear programme

US President Donald Trump has a May 12 deadline to decide on whether or not to walk away from the deal, which he has derided as “insane” partly because its restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities begin expiring in 2025.

Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with world leaders about Iran’s nuclear programme

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: AFP)

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has talked over the phone with several world leaders to update them on Iran’s nuclear weapons programme, his office said.

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Netanyahu spoke on Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Xinhua news agency reported.

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“The Prime Minister and the leaders agreed that in the next few days, he would send professional teams to share with Germany and France the detailed materials about Iran’s efforts to obtain nuclear weapons,” it said.

After the evening live presentation of Israeli documents on Iran’s nuclear moves, Netanyahu also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on this matter, the statement said.

“The two also discussed the situation in Syria and agreed to meet as soon as possible,” it added.

Netanyahu also planned to update the leaders of Britain and China as soon as possible, it revealed.

Netanyahu has asserted that he had new “proof” of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, as the US considers whether to quit a landmark atomic accord that Israel opposes.

The Israeli premier, who has repeatedly called for the accord between world powers and his country’s main enemy Iran to either be altered or scrapped, gave a presentation live on television including videos and slides allegedly exposing Iran’s nuclear dossier.

He said Israel had obtained tens of thousands of files “a few weeks ago in a great intelligence achievement”.

“Tonight we’re going to reveal new and conclusive proof of the secret nuclear weapons programme that Iran has been hiding for years from the international community in its secret atomic archive,” Netanyahu said.

“We’re going to show you Iran’s secret nuclear files.” Netanyahu alleged Iran’s leaders repeatedly lied about their nuclear ambitions.

He claims the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement does not prevent Tehran from eventually obtaining nuclear weapons and says the lifting of sanctions has increased Tehran’s ability to finance proxy militants in the Middle East.

Netanyahu also wants to see curbs on Iran’s missile programme.

US President Donald Trump has a May 12 deadline to decide on whether or not to walk away from the deal, which he has derided as “insane” partly because its restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities begin expiring in 2025.

Most world powers however say the nuclear deal is working as intended for now and is the best way to keep Iran from acquiring the bomb.

(With inputs from agencies)

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