“People understand now that Iran is determined to reach nuclear weapons. No other possible or conceivable explanation for what they have been actually doing. And that should be stopped," he said.

However, he declined to say directly whether his country would attack Iran, noted "I don't think that is a subject for public discussion."

"But I can tell you that the IAEA report has a sobering impact on many in the world leaders, as well as the publics, and people understand that the time had come," he told the CNN TV network in an interview.

He was referring to the report released on November 8 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which outlined alleged activities pointing to clandestine nuclear bombs making by Iran, prompting the US and some European nations to mull expanded sanctions on the Middle East country.

Days before the release of the IAEA report, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Barak were seeking cabinet support for a military strike on Iran.

Xinhua