08/02/2010 Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday urged the international community not to turn a blind eye to Iran's declaration that it would soon begin enriching uranium at higher levels.

Iran informed the United Nations earlier Monday that it would start producing higher-grade nuclear fuel and add 10 uranium enrichment plants over the next year.

"This is additional proof that Iran is ridiculing the world," Barak told members of his Labor party at a faction meeting. "The correct response is to impose decisive and permanent sanctions," he claimed. "I hope that the international community will not turn a blind eye to Iran's declaration," he added.