Standoff with Iran focus of Putin visit to Israel

JERUSALEM — The West's standoff with Iran over its nuclear program will be the hot topic when Russian President Vladimir Putin huddles with Israeli leaders during a 24-hour visit here.

Israel wants Russia to pressure Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program, which Israeli and world leaderJs believe is designed to produce bombs, not energy as Iran claims.

Russia has worked with China to water down international sanctions against Iran.

Israel has warned that if the sanctions don't force Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions, then a military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities might follow.

Putin is expected to arrive Monday morning and meet with Israel's Russian-speaking foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Tuesday, he heads to the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.