Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations on Thursday that his country would not allow Iran "to break in, to sneak in, or to walk into the nuclear weapons club."
Speaking at the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, Netanyahu reiterated Israeli criticism of a deal between Iran and major world powers aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program. He said that, once international sanctions are lifted, "unleashed and unmuzzled, Iran will go on the prowl."
Israel has repeatedly warned it is prepared to use military force to prevent Iran from acquiring atomic weapons. Tehran denies wanting nuclear arms.
U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has vigorously defended the July 14 nuclear agreement with Iran against criticism from Republicans in Congress, who tried unsuccessfully to kill the deal, and Israel, describing it as the best way to avoid a new war in the Middle East.
The Israeli prime minister renewed his accusations that Iran's leaders seek the destruction of Israel. He held up a copy of a book by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he said called for the end of Israel.
Diplomatic sources have said that Israel and Iran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia, have been discussing how to respond to the nuclear deal and their fear that the lifting of sanctions, expected in the coming months, will embolden Iran to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy in the Middle East.
Without naming countries, Netanyahu said Israel was in touch with Arab states about Iran.
"Israel is working closely with our Arab peace partners to address our common security challenges from Iran and also the security challenges from ISIL (Islamic State) and others," he said.
Most of Netanyahu's 43-minute speech was focused on the threat posed by Iran. But toward the end, he responded to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' U.N. speech on Wednesday, in which Abbas said recent Israeli security actions at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem could ignite a religious war.
Netanyahu told the 193-nation General Assembly that Abbas should stop "spreading lies about Israel's alleged intentions on the Temple Mount," and return to direct negotiations to secure peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
"Temple Mount," where Al-Aqsa is located, is the Israeli term for the location, which Muslims call "the Dome of the Rock."
Abbas had accused Israel of undermining U.S. attempts at brokering peace, though Netanyahu placed the blame on the Palestinians.
The prime minister also made clear that Israel would continue to use military force to repel attacks from Syria and to prevent the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting in Syria alongside government forces, from acquiring key weapons.
"Israel will continue to respond forcefully to any attacks against it from Syria," Netanyahu said, adding that it would also "prevent the transfer of strategic weapons to Hezbollah from and through Syrian territory."
