Israel's prime minister has condemned the lifting of crippling international sanctions on Iran following the U.N. nuclear agency's certification that Tehran is curbing its nuclear program.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that despite the agreement with the world powers, Iran has not given up its quest for nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu told his Cabinet lifting sanctions would provide Iran with more resources to undermine stability in the Middle East and spread terrorism around the world.
He called on the international community to closely monitor Iran’s nuclear facilities and reimpose sanctions if there were any violations.
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but its leaders have also threatened to wipe Israel “off the map.”
Since most of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains intact, Netanyahu feared the Islamic Republic could secretly build an atomic bomb that could threaten Israel's existence.
His skepticism about the nuclear deal is shared by many Israelis, like this man on the street. “We are at the same level of concern as before.I think my biggest concern is that the leadership in the West does not really care that much about stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”
Netanyahu, who has threatened to attack Iran’s nuclear sites in the past, said Israel would do everything necessary to defend itself.
