Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday that the world must stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Olmert made the remarks during the United Jewish Communities General Assembly (GA), an annual conference, held in Jerusalem this year with thousands of participants from the North America.

"Iran has not terminated its pursuit of nuclear weapons.... We must confront Iran's malevolent diligence and thwart it with great force," the prime minister was quoted by local daily Ha'aretz as saying.

Iran cannot become nuclear and Israel cannot afford it, he said, adding that "We must all do whatever we can to prevent it."

Olmert did not give specific warnings about possible Israeli actions against Iran, said Ha'aretz.

The United States, Israel and their western allies accuse Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, but Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.