Israel’s deputy foreign minister says international sanctions on Iran have been effective and the country is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Danny Ayalon told Israeli public radio on Thursday: “Iran is on the verge of bankruptcy because of the sanctions, and there are growing protests against the ayatollahs.”
He added, however, that he believes these sanctions have not dissuaded the the ruling regime in Tehran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions.
Despite the Israeli allegations, Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Meanwhile, Israel and Washington appear to be going through a rare public divide over the issue of military action against Iran.
While the Israeli prime minister has called for red lines for Iran, the U.S. has stuck to the view that there is more room for diplomatic negotiations.
Ayalon also reportedly said that Israel and the U.S. “are getting closer” in their position regarding Iran.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has also quoted the country’s foreign minister, Avigdor Liberman, saying that the sanctions have been effective, and social uprisings will return to Iranian streets by next year.
