U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier this year. Photo: Israel GPO.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in Jerusalem, that with American pressure, continued sanctions will “get Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear weapons program.”

“We heard the chants ‘Death to America’ two days ago again in Tehran, and this is, I believe, the true face of this regime or the person who controls this regime, the so called ‘Supreme Leader’,” Netanyahu said at the start of their meeting. “I think such a regime must not have the world’s most dangerous weapons. I believe that as long as they continue their goal to enrich uranium, to get nuclear weapons, the pressure should be maintained and even increased because they’re increasing enrichment.”

“I believe that it’s possible with intense pressure because of the sanctions regime led in large part by the United States to get Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear weapons program,” he said. “I’d be very worried with any partial deals that enable Iran to maintain those capabilities but begin to reduce sanctions because I think this could undermine the longevity and durability of the sanctions regime.”

Two days before negotiations over ending Iran’s nuclear program resume in Geneva, the country’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said in an interview Wednesday with France 24, “I believe it is even possible to reach that agreement this week.”