Algemeiner Editor Dovid Efune on Real News TV discussing Iran. Photo: Screenshot.

Sanctions on Iran should be escalated until the country volunteers to halt its nuclear program, Algemeiner Editor Dovid Efune said Friday, speaking on Real News TV.

“Keep pushing the sanctions further and further […] until Iran comes and says we are going to stop on our own,” he said.

His comments came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized a proposed deal between Iran and world powers that, he said, would allow Iran to retain its nuclear capacity, while being relieved from biting sanctions. “This is a bad deal – a very, very bad deal,” Netanyahu said.

“They don’t want to leave Iran with the capacity to enrich uranium, when at some point they might decide to do so,” Efune said, explaining Israel’s position.

Asked if there is a possibility that Israel might order a military strike against Iran if faced with no other option, Efune said that “The talks really tie Israel’s hands.”

But, he said, “this is something that the Jewish people has had to contend with, and has understood from history […] that sometimes no-one is going to come to your defense.”

“There are a number of instances where Israel has literally had to say (to the United States) I’m sorry but we have to protect our citizens,” he said.

Watch a video of Efune’s remarks below: