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Mofaz: Iran's nuclear program must be stopped completely

By JPOST.COM STAFF

APRIL 9, 2012 15:24

The international community must work towards stopping Iran's nuclear program completely, and anyone who believes Iran is pursuing a peaceful nuclear program is "deluding himself," opposition leader Shaul Mofaz told the visiting Italian prime minister on Monday.

He made the comments days before nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers were set to commence.

"The goal standing ahead of the international powers, and especially the United States, is stopping Iran's nuclear program," Mofaz told Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti in Jerusalem. "Any other option is not enough to ensure world peace and regional stability."

Mofaz's remarks came after a New York Times report claimed to lay out US objectives for the talks, which included the stipulation that the US could accept an Iranian civilian nuclear program if Tehran agrees to close its underground Fordow nuclear facility, and transfer out of the country uranium that has been enriched to 20 percent. US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have both mentioned the US could live with a nuclear Iran, as long as its intentions are not towards developing a nuclear bomb.

Mofaz, who replaced Tzipi Livni as Kadima head and opposition leader at the end of last month, rejected Iran's insistence that its nuclear development is for peaceful purposes only, saying anyone who still believes this claim is "deluding himself."

"The only way to monitor the Iranian nuclear program is to bring it to an end. This is the Obama administration's task and its test," he told Monti.

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