Israel’s Bennett says Iran ‘lying’ about nuclear programme

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Friday accused Iran of "lying to the world" about its nuclear programme, days after the UN atomic watchdog criticised Tehran for lack of cooperation.

A strongly worded report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said its monitoring at Iranian nuclear sites had been "seriously undermined" by Tehran's suspension of some inspections since February.

"Israel views with utmost gravity the picture of the situation reflected in the report," Bennett said in a statement.

The IAEA report, he said, "proves that Iran is continuing to lie to the world and advance a programme to develop nuclear weapons, while denying its international commitments".

Tuesday's report also said that Iran had boosted its stocks of uranium enriched above the levels allowed in the 2015 deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).