Iran was "the only country in the world with imperial ambitions," Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Monday.
Peres made the remarks during the United Jewish Communities General Assembly (GA), an annual conference, held in Jerusalem this year with thousands of participants from North America, reported Xinhua.
Both Iran and its ally Venezuela have had their political judgment clouded by excess money, the president was cited by local daily Ha'aretz as saying, adding that "we must make courageous decisions and concessions for peace."
Peres also said that intellectuals from across the Arab world have voiced concern identical to that of Israel over Iran's nuclear program.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the GA that the world must stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Iran cannot become nuclear and Israel cannot afford it, said the premier, adding that "we must all do whatever we can to prevent it."
The United States, Israel and their western allies accuse Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, but Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.