Israeli PM warns against renewed talks with Iran

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded Friday that Iran abandon its uranium enrichment program and dismantle its underground nuclear facility, and he warned the international community not to fall into the "trap" of renewed nuclear talks.

Netanyahu also said he not would set down "red lines" for Israeli or U.S. action - a reference to reports in Israel that the country intended to press the United States to set such demands.

In comments after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Netanyahu said Iran could try to evade pressure by entering talks and pursue and exploit the talks, as it has done in the past.

Netanyahu also will meet with President Barack Obama on Monday, and Iran will be a major concern. Obama is expected to try to persuade Netanyahu to postpone any plans his government may have to attack Iran's nuclear facilities in coming months.

"Right now, Iran is feeling the pressure from the economic sanctions, and it could try to evade that pressure by entering talks," Netanyahu said.

"I think the international community should not fall into this trap. I think the demands on Iran should be clear: Dismantle the underground nuclear facility in Qom, stop enrichment inside Iran and get all the enriched material out of Iran. And when I say all the material, I mean all the material."

Iran has said it has begun enrichment work at the Qom site.

Netanyahu said Israel has the right to defend itself against Iran, which he says calls and works for Israel's destruction.

Obama warned Israel in an interview with The Atlantic magazine published Friday that a premature attack on Iran would do more harm than good.

In his most expansive remarks on the issue thus far, Obama told the magazine that Iran and Israel both understand that "a military component" is among a mix of many options for dealing with Iran, along with sanctions and diplomacy.

That is the most direct threat he has issued during months of escalating tension with Iran over its disputed nuclear development program.

At the same time, Obama has consistently refused to renounce a military option for the United States down the road.

Israeli leaders have strongly hinted that they want to hear clearer terms from Obama for what the United States would do if Iran crosses the threshold from nuclear energy to nuclear weapons. Until now, Obama has said a nuclear Iran is unacceptable but has not spelled out just what the U.S. would do or when.

___

Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto and Mark S. Smith and Anne Gearan contributed to this report.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.