Netanyahu welcomes US 'snapback' of Iran sanctions

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed late Thursday a decision by the US to push for all sanctions to be restored on Iran.

The Trump administration formally notified the United Nations of its demand for all UN sanctions on Iran to be restored, setting off an immediate confrontation with Russia and other Security Council members who called the U.S. move illegal.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the notification to the president of the UN Security Council, citing significant Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal, a requirement to snap back UN sanctions.

The US maintains that under the Security Council resolution endorsing the agreement it retains the right as an initial party to invoke the provision to "snap back" sanctions.

Netanyahu has long called for the dismantling of the Iran nuclear deal.

On Thursday he accused the UN Security Council of being complicit in helping Iran develop nuclear weapons.

"Israel stands proudly and firmly with the United States, as do governments across the Middle East who opposed the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) quietly and now support the restoration of sanctions publicly," Netanyahu said.

Russia, China, Britain, France and virtually all other council members say the Trump administration does not have the right since it is no longer a party to the JCPOA.

The US action sets the stage for a showdown that could lead to a crisis of credibility for the Security Council.