Israel welcomed 22 March U.S. sanctions against "31 Iranian individuals and entities... linked to Iran's nuclear proliferation-sensitive activities". In a statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that "Iran continues to deceive the international community and lie to the world about its military nuclear program. The Iranian regime continues to conceal its capabilities and to strive for nuclear weapons". "Iran", Netanyahu added, "endangers the peace of the Middle East and the entire world and must be blocked".