Iran says comments made by Israel's prime minister earlier this week are a confession that the Jewish state has nuclear weapons.

Mohammad Ali Hosseini

Speaking in Tehran, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Hosseini said a nuclear Israel threatens security and stability in the Middle East.  He called on the United Nations Security Council to combat the threat, but did not elaborate.

The 22-member Arab League has also reacted to Monday's statements by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. 

An Arab League official called for full disclosure of the extent of Israel's nuclear arsenal.

On Monday, speaking on German television, Mr. Olmert said Iran, allegedly seeking nuclear weapons, is not on the same level as the United States, France, Israel and Russia. Israeli officials denied the comments were an admission that Israel has nuclear weapons.

On Tuesday, the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdel Rahman al-Attiya, called for United Nations sanctions against Israel.  The Council groups Arabian Gulf countries.

A senior European official has called on Mr. Olmert to explain his remarks.  Finnish Defense Minister Seppo Kaariainen spoke in an interview with the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung. Finland currently holds the presidency of the European Union.

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