President François Hollande assured Israel yesterday that France would continue to oppose an easing of economic sanctions against Iran until it was convinced Tehran had ended a pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Hollande’s pledge could help underpin an intensive campaign by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince Israel’s main ally, the US, and other leading powers to toughen terms of a proposed nuclear deal with Iran ahead of negotiations reconvening this week in Geneva.

We won’t give way on this

Differences over how to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons have opened a rift between Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama, whose relationship has long been fraught.

France has taken a tough line with Iran, helping Paris forge closer ties with Tehran’s foes in Israel and the Gulf.

“France will not give way on nuclear proliferation,” Hollande said at a welcoming ceremony at Tel Aviv airport.

“So long as we are not certain that Iran has renounced nuclear arms, we will keep in place all our demands and sanctions.”

After Hollande’s three-day state visit, Netanyahu is due to travel to Moscow on Wednesday to see Russian President Vladimir Putin and return to Israel to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday – by which point US and Russian officials have said a preliminary deal with Iran may have be struck.

Netanyahu has condemned a proposal, to be discussed by Iran in talks starting on Wednesday with six powers – France, China, Britain, Germany, Russia and the US – to ease sanctions if it suspends some nuclear activities.

“I hope that we will be able to persuade our friends during this week and in the days that follow to get a much better agreement,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet.

Netanyahu says tough Western measures must not only remain in place but be strengthened until Iran dismantles its entire uranium enrichment programme, arguing that anything less would enable it to develop nuclear bombs.

Netanyahu, who has warned Israel is willing to attack to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons capability, won no support for his demand from Obama, who faces possible moves in Congress to ratchet up sanctions.

The Israeli leader rejected Obama’s contention that any loosening of sanctions in an interim agreement could be reversed if Iran failed to abide by its terms.