If North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons, credit belongs to President Donald Trump for his aggressive rhetoric and increased sanctions — and a similar policy would defang Iran, a senior Israeli minister said.

Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said Iran is even more vulnerable to such pressure than North Korea because it doesn't yet have nuclear weapons, while its people are less cowed by their leaders and wouldn't passively accept tighter economic sanctions.

"If it happens in North Korea, it's proof that this way works and will work with Iran," Katz said in an interview in New York. "Whether through fixing the nuclear agreement or nixing it, such a policy could even lead to the fall of the regime. Now is the time to be very tough against Iran."