An Iranian vice-president on Tuesday dismissed Israel’s objections to nuclear talks, saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not have much influence.

“I don’t think (Netanyahu’s voice) carries much weight,” Massoumeh Ebtekar, who is vice-president for environmental affairs, told AFP during a visit to Paris.

“They are making their efforts to derail the deal but I think the more logical lobbies on both sides are looking forward to a solution.

“The current threats in the region — the radicalism, extremism, terrorism — this all calls for a resolution of the issue and a stronger role for Iran.”

Her comments came on the same day as Netanyahu gave a speech to the US Congress in which he described the emerging Iran deal as “very bad”, saying it would leave Iran with a “vast” nuclear program.

Ebtekar said the main sticking point in the negotiations with world powers was the speed at which sweeping sanctions would be removed.

“It is and it has been from the beginning,” she said.

“These sanctions have been illegal, they are unjust. They are also adversely affecting not only our environment because they are impeding our access to new technologies to curb pollution, but also the global environment.”

(Agencies via Ma’an)