Israel claims Iran sanctions a result of Israeli pressure

Israeli Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Sunday that the sanctions imposed on Iran were a result of Israeli efforts in this direction, Anadolu agency reported.

The minister also said that these sanctions have nothing to do with the interim agreement with Iran and governments of world powers known as the P5+1.

“Israel is seeking the full end of Iran’s nuclear programme, not part of it,” Steinitz told Israeli radio.

Despite differences of opinion with US president Barack Obama, Steinitz also reiterated the right of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to Washington in order to express his opinion regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

Previously, Netanyahu announced that he had accepted an invitation by US Congress to attend a meeting in March. However, the White House denied this invitation, saying it was not officially arranged.

The US Treasury Department announced a swathe of sanctions in December last year on a number of companies and individuals, accusing them of supporting the Iranian state, transferring money and supporting human rights violations.

Iran and the six world powers (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), known as the P5+1, reached the agreement after three rounds of talks with Tehran.