Netanyahu visits Moscow to seek backing for Iran sanctions

This is Netanyahu8217;s first official trip to Moscow since taking office a year ago,but follows a clandestine visit in September,a secretive move that highlighted the key role Russia plays in Israel8217;s drive to thwart Tehran8217;s alleged nuclear weapons ambitions.

8220;We will discuss a range of issues,but first and foremost Iran,8221; Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting hours before he was due to leave for Moscow.

8220;Israel believes that strong pressure must be applied to Iran,especially very tough sanctions,8221; he said,echoing his calls last week for 8220;crippling sanctions8221; on the Islamic republic.

The visit comes a week after Russia questioned the 8220;sincerity8221; of Iran8217;s pledges not to develop nuclear weapons and,in a policy shift,said fresh UN sanctions on Tehran were a 8220;realistic8221; option.

Iran declared on Tuesday it had started the process of producing 20-per cent enriched uranium,as the United States stepped up its efforts to pass a new round of sanctions against Tehran by the United Nations Security Council.