NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says sanctions imposed on Iran are important but so far haven't been effective.

Netanyahu said Thursday that the Iranian president's guided tour of centrifuges at Tehran research reactor on Wednesday was proof that sanctions have not properly crippled Iran's efforts to develop nuclear capabilities.

The Israeli leader was speaking to reporters in Cyprus, where he was meeting officials on a brief visit to discuss cooperation on energy and other matters.

Israel has been a vocal supporter of an international campaign to halt Tehran's nuclear program by imposing sanctions on its central bank and gas exports. Like the West, Israel accuses Iran of pursuing atomic weapons. Tehran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.