Israeli PM calls on Western powers to sanction Iran

JERUSALEM, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday called on Western powers to impose real sanctions on Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, local news service Ynet reported.

"The effort should lead to real pressure, real sanctions on the regime," Netanyahu was quoted as saying at a journalism conference in Eilat, a southern Israeli city.

The Iranian regime was very vulnerable economically, said Netanyahu, adding that "I believe it is also vulnerable in terms of losing its legitimacy in the global public opinion, and therefore there is room for these sanctions, which I hope will be imposed."

Netanyahu said his country was working incessantly to gain the support of the international community for sanctions on Iran.

He also welcomed the International Atomic Energy Agency's recent decision to rebuke Iran over its secret nuclear facility, terming the decision "important progress."

Israel, the United States and some other countries have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.