Netanyahu Says Israel Was Key In Avoiding 'Bad' Nuke Deal With Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country was crucial in preventing global powers and Iran from signing what he says would have been a "bad deal" on Tehran's nuclear program last month.

The global powers known as the P5+1 have extended their talks with Tehran until June 30, after they failed to meet the November 24 deadline for a deal.

The West wants Iran to scale down nuclear activities, such as uranium enrichment, to ensure it cannot produce nuclear weapons.

Iran denies trying to develop such weapons.

Netayahu told a Washington conference in a recorded address that had an agreement been reached by November 24, it would have "effectively left Iran as a threshold nuclear power."

He said Israel's "voice and our concerns played a critical role in preventing a bad deal."

Addressing the same conference, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged patience while vowing that the process wold not continue without "tangible progress."

Based on reporting by AFP and AP