Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak called for tougher sanctions on Iran in the wake of Tehran's latest announcement of progress in its nuclear program.
"These (current) sanctions . . . might not suffice to compel the Iranian leadership to take decisions so we feel that there is still a need for more effective and paralyzing sanctions on Iran," Barak said after meeting Thursday with Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka.
Barak made the remarks a day after Iran said it has developed new centrifuges capable of enriching uranium at a much faster rate.
Tensions between Western countries and Iran have been rising over Tehran's suspected nuclear weapons program, prompting the United States and the European Union to impose stricter sanctions.
During their 40-minute meeting, Barak told Tanaka that it is important for the international community to work together and take stern measures against Iran, a Defense Ministry official said.