Olmert: "We must confront Iran’s malevolent diligence and thwart it with greater force."

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel emphasized on Sunday that greater pressure should be done to prevent Iran from a successful nuclear programme.

In a speech in Jerusalem, Olmert said: “We must increase our measures to prevent Iran from achieving its devious goals…Iran cannot become nuclear…Israel cannot afford it.”

“We must unite our forces as part of the international community, led by the United States of America. We must confront Iran’s malevolent diligence and thwart it with greater force,” Olmert added.

Iran has stated that its nuclear programme is purely for generating energy. But Israel and the United States believe that Iran is only using the programme as a front to its nuclear weapon development. Possession of nuclear weapons by Iran is seen as a serious threat to the existence of Israel and a warning sign to the world.

United States President-elect Barack Obama’s previous statement that he wants a dialogue with Iran instead of or alongside sanctions has caused great concern among Israeli leaders.

Olmert stated that Iran has not stopped in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The outgoing Prime Minister even accused Iran of funding Palestinian militants as well as Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi gunmen.

Olmert stressed that further sanctions against Iran must make the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme more costly thereby leaving it no choice but to give up on nuclear weapons.

Olmert is now a caretaker Prime Minister after he resigned in September. A corruption investigation prompted him to relinquish his position but he will hold the same office until a new Israeli government is formed early next year.