Netanyahu calls for 'crippling' sanctions against Iran, 'right now'

Iran's nuclear activities sparked a new wave of international criticism earlier this week, after the Islamic republic announced its plans to enrich uranium to 20% purity. Western powers fear Iran's nuclear program is aimed at building weapons, while Tehran insists it needs enriched uranium for civilian power generation.

The Islamic Republic started production of 20%-enriched uranium, which the Iranian authorities say is intended for a research reactor in Tehran, on Tuesday.

"Iran is racing forward to produce nuclear weapons ... I believe that what is required right now is tough action by the international community," Netanyahu told European diplomats on Tuesday.

Under a plan drawn up by the International Atomic Energy Agency last October, the Islamic Republic was to ship out its low-enriched uranium to Russia for further enrichment and subsequently send it to France where it would be made into fuel rods.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihmanparast said production of 20%-enriched uranium does not mean the end of a possible fuel swap scheme, which can be accepted "once our adversaries [Western powers] are ready to recognize our rights."

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday Washington and its allies were preparing new "significant" sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activities, which Western powers fear are aimed at building weapons. Tehran insists, however, that its nuclear program is designed for civilian power generation, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.