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Israeli PM says next month critical for nuclear talks with Iran

Xinhua, February 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that next month is critical for the nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers.

"There is an increased effort to reach a nuclear agreement (with Iran) in the coming days and weeks," Netanyahu told the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Therefore, the coming month is critical for the nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers because a framework agreement is liable to be signed that will allow Iran to develop the nuclear capabilities that threaten our existence," he said.

The prime minister again defended his controversial plan to deliver a speech on Iran to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on March 3, two weeks before the Israeli parliamentary elections.

"The agreement that is being formulated between Iran and the major powers is dangerous for Israel and therefore I will go to the United States next week in order to explain to the U.S. Congress, which could influence the fate of the agreement, why this agreement is dangerous for Israel, the region and the entire world," he said.

Netanyahu has been strongly opposed to the negotiations between Iran and the six world powers, the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, arguing that the nuclear deal will allow Iran to "build the industrial capacity to develop nuclear weapons."

His insistence on addressing the U.S. Congress has irked the U.S. administration.

U.S. President Barak Obama has said he would not meet with the Israeli leader when he is in Washington for the Congress speech. Vice President Joe Biden will skip the speech.

Israel has long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its current nuclear program,while Iran has kept denying the accusations, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Iran and the world powers have been engaged in negotiations for around one and half years, but wide differences have kept both parties from reaching a final deal.

All sides agreed in November 2014 to extend the deadline for another seven months, with an aim of striking a political framework deal by the end of March. Endit