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Netanyahu: EU oil embargo on Iran "step in right direction"

Israel Materials 24 January 2012 02:52 (UTC +04:00)
Israel welcomed Monday a European Union foreign ministers' agreement on an oil embargo against Iran, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "a step in the right direction."
Netanyahu: EU oil embargo on Iran "step in right direction"

Israel welcomed Monday a European Union foreign ministers' agreement on an oil embargo against Iran, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "a step in the right direction", dpa reported.

"True, it is still impossible to know what the result of these sanctions will be. Very strong and quick pressure on Iran is necessary," he added.

"Sanctions will have to be evaluated on the basis of results," the premier told his Likud Party parliamentary caucus.

The oil embargo - paving the way for an immediate ban on new import contracts, while existing deals are to be ended by July - was part of a series of sanctions against Tehran agreed in Brussels on Monday.

EU ministers also approved sanctions on Tehran's central bank and a ban on the trade in petrochemical products, gold, precious metals, diamonds, banknotes and coins.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said the embargo underscored that Europe understood more than ever that Iran was "dangerous, radical and determined" to acquire nuclear weapons.

"A nuclear Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz. It could stop the delivery of oil. It could dictate oil prices. Also the Europeans understand that," he told Israel Radio.

Iran was economically and socio-politically weak and EU pressure and sanctions would therefore "certainly" achieve their aim, if the international community showed "determination over time," Ayalon said.

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