JERUSALEM (AP) Israel's prime minister on Tuesday urged the international community to step up pressure on Iran despite signs of possible flexibility from the new Iranian leadership in upcoming nuclear talks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet that halting Iran's nuclear program will be the focus of his trip to the United States later this month. Netanyahu is expected to meet President Barack Obama on Sept. 30 and deliver an address to the U.N. General Assembly.
Israel and the U.S. suspect Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies the charge, saying its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
Israel believes a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to its security and has repeatedly expressed frustration over the international community's inability to halt the Iranian program, even after several rounds of sanctions.
The election of Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, has raised hopes in the West that after years of inconclusive talks, there is a new opportunity to make headway. A new round of negotiations is expected in the coming months.