Israel says distrusts Rouhani, ready to stand alone against Iran

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday the only way to peacefully stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons is to combine tough sanctions with a credible military threat and that Israel was ready to stand alone in defending itself.          

"Don't let up the pressure (on Iran)," Netanyahu told the U.N. General Assembly, adding that the only deal that could be made with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani was one that "fully dismantles Iran's nuclear weapons program."                                 

"Rouhani is a wolf in sheep's clothing. A wolf who thinks he can pull the wool over the eyes of the international community. But like everyone else, I wish we could believe Rouhani's words, but we must focus on Iran's action," Netanyahu said.               

Earlier, Iran's foreign minister has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a liar who requires deception to promote his policies.                

The Tuesday remarks by Mohammad Javad Zarif in New York were broadcast on Iranian state TV hours before Netanyahu's scheduled speech to the U.N. General Assembly.                              
"This is his nature, to lie ... Over the past 22 years, the regime, Israel, has been saying Iran will have nuclear arms in six months," said Zarif. "This game, in fact, is based on lying, deception, incitement and harassment."                           

Iran and Israel see each other as arch enemies. Iran does not recognize the Jewish state, and supports anti-Israeli militants like Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas.                  

Israel has threatened to strike Iranian nuclear installations the West suspects have a military dimension. Iran denies the charge.


REUTERS/AP