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Netanyahu: Israel won’t allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon

The prime minister’s vow follows Iran’s threat to break the 2015 nuclear accord unless it is changed.

By World Israel News Staff 

Responding to the latest threats from Tehran that it will resume higher enrichment of uranium in 60 days if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for its 2015 nuclear deal, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his vow not to allow Iran to attain a nuclear bomb.

In a televised address, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani also said that Iran would stop exporting excess uranium and heavy water from its nuclear program, two requirements of the deal.

“This morning, on my way here, I heard that Iran intends to continue its nuclear program and we will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons,” said Prime Minister Netanyahu at a ceremony for Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem.

Iran notified Britain, Russia, China, the European Union, France, and Germany of its decision earlier Wednesday. All were signatories to the nuclear deal and continue to support it. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met Wednesday in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

Mr. Lavrov said the situation surrounding the fate of the Iran nuclear accord has been complicated by “irresponsible behavior” from Washington, a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s pullout from the deal exactly a year ago and the imposition of American sanctions on Tehran.

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For his part, Netanyahu said Israel “will continue to fight those who seek to take our lives, and we will thrust our roots even deeper into the soil of our homeland.”

In addition to the nuclear threat, Iran also backs terror groups in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon that do not recognize Israel’s right to exist.

This past weekend, hundreds of rockets were fired on Israel from Gaza, killing four Israelis.

In addition to soldiers killed, Wednesday’s memorial day commemorations in Israel also mourn the murder of terror victims.

Associated Press contributed to this report.