Israel hopes that the Iran nuclear standoff will be solved peacefully through negotiations, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman told Xinhua yesterday.

The spokesman reiterated Israeli stance over Iran's nuclear issue, saying that "Israel supports the initiatives taken by the international community."

"Iran must stop its nuclear development," stressed the spokesman.

Meanwhile, Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres also said on Friday that he believes Iran will eventually cooperate in nuclear negotiations as an emerging coalition of nations is trying to get Iran to abandon its suspected development of nuclear weapons.

On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented to Iran a new package over Iran's nuclear issue, which had been agreed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany in a meeting in Vienna.

The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply.

The United States has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian disguise, a charge rejected by Tehran.