World powers ‘have given up’ in Iran nuke talks — Netanyahu

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — In his sharpest criticism yet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says world powers "have given up" on stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons in ongoing negotiations.

Netanyahu made the comments Wednesday night at a meeting of his Likud Party outside of occupied Jerusalem. They come as Netanyahu plans to address the US Congress on the nuclear negotiations.

The West fears Iran could build an atomic bomb with its nuclear programme. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes.

Netanyahu said: "From the agreement that is forming it appears that they [world powers] have given up on that commitment and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons. They might accept this but I am not willing to accept this."