World must insist on 'better' Iran deal

JERUSALEM - World powers must toughen their stance to reach a "better" deal with Iran aimed at preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.

"The concessions offered to Iran in Lausanne would ensure a bad deal that would endanger Israel, the Middle East and the peace of the world," Netanyahu said of ongoing negotiations in Switzerland.

Hamid Baeedinejad (L), an Iranian official, speaks with press about negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme outside the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 31, 2015. The top diplomats of Iran and the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany aim by the end of March 31 to agree the outlines of a deal curtailing Iran's nuclear programme. AFP PHOTO / POOL / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

"Now is the time for the international community to insist on a better deal," he added. 

One day after an original deadline for a framework deal passed, world powers and Iran continued discussions on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme Wednesday.

"Iran's insistence on keeping underground nuclear facilities, advanced centrifuges and a heavy water reactor" showed its nuclear programme was not solely for peaceful purposes as claimed by Tehran, Netanyahu said in a statement.

The Israeli premier also cited an Iranian general who declared that "Israel's destruction is non-negotiable".

"Evidently, giving Iran's murderous regime a clear path to the bomb is negotiable. This is unconscionable," Netanyahu said.

To Netanyahu, a "better deal" would "significantly roll back Iran's nuclear infrastructure" as well as "link the eventual lifting of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program to a change in Iran's behaviour."

"Iran must stop its aggression in the region, stop its terrorism throughout the world and stop its threats to annihilate Israel," he added.

AFP