Israeli leader says UN pressure having no effect on curbing Iranian nuclear program
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague, left, listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint news conference before their meeting in Jerusalem, Thursday, May 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Ronen Zvulun, Pool) (The Associated Press)
Israel's prime minister says a new report by the U.N. atomic agency shows that international pressure is having no effect on halting Iran's suspect nuclear program.
In a confidential report, the International Atomic Energy Agency said this week that Iran has upgraded its uranium enrichment facilities and advanced in building a plutonium-producing reactor. Israel and the West believe both programs are geared toward making nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that "it's clear" that economic and diplomatic pressure have been "unable to prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear weapons program." Israel has repeatedly signaled it will attack Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails to curb the Iranian program.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Netanyahu spoke at a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who voiced "strong concerns" about the Iranian nuclear program.