Israel calls for "automatic" EU sanctions on Iranian regime over uranium breach

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Europe on Monday (July 1) to impose "automatic sanctions" on Iranian for accumulating more low-enriched uranium than permitted under its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers.

"I say again that Israel will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said in a speech during a ceremony for Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reserve units.

"On this day I also call on all European countries to stand behind their commitments. You committed to act the moment Iran violates the nuclear agreement, you committed to activate the mechanism for automatic sanctions that was set in the (UN) Security Council," he said.

A European diplomat told Reuters there was a mechanism under the agreement to deal with "any inconsistencies", and it would be up to a joint commission of signatories to decide next steps.

Earlier on Monday Israel's energy minister accused Iranian regime of pursuing "nuclear blackmail" by stockpiling more low-enriched uranium than permitted under the deal but said continued international pressure would cause Tehran to back down.