President Shimon Peres told foreign reporters in Jerusalem Monday afternoon, "The world must form a coalition of strong, firm nations, willing to impose severe sanctions on Iran." He added that he was not calling for military action against Iran, which he termed the "world's nightmare."

He had equally harsh words for Hamas, saying that talking to the terrorist organization is like "talking to the wall." The President added that the Palestinian Authority would have had an independent state by now if it were not for Hamas's "criminal behavior".