World Must Stop Iran's Nuclear Drive, Israel Warns

The world must act to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday after the release of a key report by the U.N.'s atomic watchdog.

"The significance of the report is that the international community must bring about the cessation of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons which endanger the peace of the world and of the Middle East," he said in a statement issued by his office.

It was the first official Israeli response to Tuesday's report by the International Atomic Energy Agency which said it had "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions" of Iran's nuclear program.

"The IAEA report corroborates the position of the international community, and of Israel that Iran is developing nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said.

Israel, which has the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear arsenal, has long accused Iran of trying to develop atomic weapons under cover of a civilian nuclear program.

Tehran denies that charge and has accused Israel of trying to sabotage its civilian nuclear program and kill its nuclear scientists.

Earlier, opposition leader and Kadima party chairwoman Tzipi Livni said publication of the report meant Israel should push the world to act firmly to stop Iran.

"Now that the truth has been presented to the world, Israel must galvanize the free world to stop Iran," she said in a posting on her Facebook page. "Determination and diplomatic wisdom are crucial now."

Head of the Knesset's Foreign and Defense Committee Shaul Mofaz, also a Kadima MP, said the "severe report" provided the free world with the opportunity to "take action" against Iran.

"This is the moment of truth for the Western world's foreign policy, headed by (U.S.) President (Barack) Obama," the Iranian-born former chief of staff said late on Tuesday.

"The report should be seen as an opportunity to change the trend, and the mission is not solely Israel's."

The world must "intensify" the sanctions on Iran, to the point of paralyzing its economy, he said, stressing that military action remained the last option, Mofaz told army radio.

"Military action in general, and specifically by Israel, is currently the last and worst option -- but all options should be on the table now," he said.

Israeli media in recent weeks have been full of chatter suggesting a pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities was being seriously considered by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

At the weekend, President Shimon Peres had warned the likelihood of an attack was becoming "more and more likely."

The IAEA report, a copy of which was seen by AFP late on Tuesday, said it had "credible" information that Tehran "has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device."

In Israel, media commentators had on Tuesday suggested the "unprecedented severity" of the report meant a strike on Iran was unlikely.

Television Channels 2 and 10 both said the release of the report would give Israel "some weeks or some months" to see if the international community slaps "crippling sanctions" on the Islamic republic.