Israel Calls for New Pressure on Iran

Israel’s prime minister is urging the international community to step up pressure on Iran, despite signs of possible flexibility from the new Iranian leadership in upcoming nuclear talks.

Israel, along with many Western countries, suspects Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet Tuesday that halting Iran’s nuclear program will be the focus of his trip to the U.S. later this month.

Netanyahu says he’ll discuss the matter at a Sept. 30 meeting with President Barack Obama and in an address to the U.N.

Netanyahu says pressure on Tehran “must be increased and not relaxed.”

Iran’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Monday chances for a breakthrough in talks with world powers have improved since President Hasan Rouhani’s election.