Netanyahu says Trump made courageous decision on US sanctions on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed on Monday what he called U.S. President Donald Trump's courageous decision in reimposing U.S. sanctions on Iran.

"This day is an historic day," Netanyahu said in public remarks to legislators from his right-wing Likud party.

"I would like to again thank U.S. President Donald Trump for the courageous, determined and important decision. I think this contributes to stability and security and peace."

On Monday, the U.S. administration reinstated all sanctions removed on Iran following a 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. The sanctions target Iran’s oil exports, shipping and banks - all core parts of the Iranian economy.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for imposing sanctions on Iran.

"President (Donald) Trump's bold decision is the sea-change the Middle East has been waiting for," Lieberman said in a statement on Monday.

"In a single move, the United States is dealing a critical blow to Iran's entrenchment in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen. President Trump, you've done it again! Thank you," he said.

The U.S. is seeking to "alter" Iranian behavior with the sanctions, and has been leaking out a stream of 12 demands it wants to see Iran agree to in exchange for re-lifting the economic penalties.

The U.S. expects to have reduced Iranian oil exports by more than 1 million barrels even before Monday's tranche of economic penalties, which the U.S. has long warned were incoming.

All of the other signatories -- China, the European Union, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and the United Kingdom -- have remained in the nuclear deal despite the U.S. withdrawal.

The accord provided Iran with billions of dollars in relief from international sanctions in exchange for sweeping curbs on and inspections of its nuclear program.