Ehud Olmert (file photo)

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says Iran is obsessed with hatred of Israel and the Jewish people and must be stopped from developing nuclear weapons.

Speaking late Tuesday, the Israeli leader called for concrete, joint action by the international community to stop Iran's alleged push to develop a nuclear arsenal.

Hours earlier, the leaders of Russia and France joined the chorus of world leaders calling on Tehran to stop all uranium enrichment. China called for continued diplomatic efforts to ease growing international tensions.

Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at developing electricity.

Iran resumed small-scale uranium enrichment Monday -- an initial step in the process of producing fuel for nuclear reactors or atomic weapons.

Iran had threatened to resume enrichment after the International Atomic Energy Agency referred it to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions earlier this month.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.