Brown warns Iran in landmark Israel speech

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JERUSALEM, July 21 (AFP) : Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Iran Monday it must freeze sensitive nuclear work or face more sanctions, in the first address by a British premier to the Israeli parliament.

Brown also attacked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "abhorrent" threats against Israel and declared that Britain stands alongside the Jewish state.

His comments on Iran's nuclear drive echoed a warning by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Tehran had two weeks to respond seriously to an international offer or face further "punitive measures."

"Iran now has a clear choice to make: suspend its nuclear programme and accept our offer of negotiations or face growing isolation and the collective response not just of one nation but of all nations round the world," Brown said.

"Just as we have led the work on three mandatory sanctions resolutions of the UN, the UK will continue to lead-with the United States and our European Union partners-in our determination to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapons programme."

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel "highly appreciates" Brown's "determination ... (on the) issue of terrorism and Iranian nuclear armament.

"The most serious threat for stability in the Middle East and the global peace is rooted in ... Tehran," he added.