Israel urges more pressure on Iran's leaders

By Jason Szep

BOSTON, March 12 (Reuters) - Israel's Foreign Minister urged the international community on Wednesday to tighten pressure, including economic sanctions, on Iran to halt its nuclear program and said: "The clock is ticking."

"We must increase the pressure on the Iranian leadership now if we want to avoid difficult dilemmas in the future," Tzipi Livni said in a speech to Massachusetts state lawmakers after a visit to Washington this week.

"The United Nations and the international community at large have recognized that economic sanctions, especially on Iran's energy sector, are the best means to pursue Iran to change its dangerous course," she said.

The West accuses Tehran of following a program that could lead to nuclear weapons but Iran insists its development is for peaceful power generation only.

Livni said there were plenty of ways to put pressure on Iran but said: "The clock is ticking."

The U.N. Security Council last week imposed more sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend nuclear enrichment and other sensitive activities. Western analysts doubt they will deter Tehran from its nuclear program.

"There are many who would like to see the flames of fire in the Middle East grow higher," Livni said in Boston.

"When the Iranian regime denies the Holocaust, furthers the destruction of a fellow state, supports terror and violence while pursuing a nuclear weapon, it must be stopped," she said to applause from the Massachusetts lawmakers.