Netanyahu blasts Iran nuclear deal, convenes cabinet

The breakthrough in the nuclear control talks between Iran and the Western powers has done nothing to heal the growing rift between the US and its historical ally Israel (See: Tehran achieves deal with US-led powers to end sanctions)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will convene his security cabinet today to discuss the framework deal reached between world powers and Iran, after telling US President Barack Obama in a phone call that he "vehemently opposed" the agreement.

Obama called Netanyahu within hours of the deal being struck, saying it represented significant progress toward a lasting solution that cuts off Iran's path to a nuclear weapon.

But Netanyahu said in a statement after the conversation that a deal based on the framework announced in Lausanne, Switzerland "would threaten the survival of Israel".

"This deal would legitimize Iran's nuclear programme, bolster Iran's economy and increase Iran's aggression and terror throughout the Middle East and beyond," Netanyahu said.

"It would increase the risks of nuclear proliferation in the region and the risks of a horrific war."

Israel has said in the past that it would consider taking unilateral action to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon, a warning taken to mean that it could launch air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities.