Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu comments on virus and Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday his government will discuss possible steps to halt spre of coronavirus after country saw a major uptick in confirmed cases in recent days, warning that "we need to flatten curve w."

Israel has over 20,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with number of new cases increasing by more than 300 in recent days.

At least 305 Israelis have died from COVID-19 since beginning of outbreak in March.

"Tomorrow I will convene Corona Cabinet and we'll discuss necessary steps for stopping spre of pandemic," Netanyahu said at start of weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

"If we don't change immediately our behaviour regarding wearing masks and keeping distance we will bring upon ourselves, against our will, a return to lockdowns," he said.

Netanyahu ded that every effort was being me to develop a vaccine.

He also issued a condemnation of Iran, saying it was "lying to international community in order to obtain nuclear weapons."

Earlier this week, International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated concerns that for more than four months Iran h denied his inspectors access to two locations to investigate possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.

Activities at sites are thought to have been from early 2000s, before Iran signed 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran maintains IAEA has legal basis to inspect m.

ncy has said that Iran continues to provide access to sites covered by nuclear deal, kwn as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

Iran's representative to IAEA, Kazem Gharibabi, said his country rejected resolution.