Posted: 03/06/2013 at 7:25pm | IP Logged

Netanyahu Pushes Back on US Iran Nuke Strategy

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CBN News

Stopping Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon dominated this year's annual American-Israel Public Affairs Committee conference, which is being held in Washington this week.

Speaking before America's largest pro-Israel lobby, Vice President Joe Biden insisted that President Obama was not bluffing about using force if necessary to stop Iran's nuclear program.

"Our strong preference, the world's preference, is for a diplomatic solution," Biden said. "So while that window is closing, we believe there is still time and space to achieve the outcome."

Will the U.S. stand behind Israel if necessary? Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, has more on CBN Newswatch, following Dale Hurd's report.

"If, God forbid, the need to act occurs, it is critically important for the whole world to know we did everything in our power, we did everything that reasonably could have been expected to avoid any confrontation," he added.

Biden said no president has done more to secure the state of Israel than President Obama.

"That's why from the moment the president took office he has acted swiftly and decisively to make clear to the whole world and to Israel that even as circumstances have changed, one thing has not: our deep commitment to the security of the state of Israel," Biden said. "That has not changed."

Speaking to AIPAC by satellite, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed frustration with the U.S. strategy on Iran, calling for a "credible military threat."

"Diplomacy has not worked," Netanyahu said. "Iran ignores all these offers. It is running out the clock. It's still not crossed the redline I drew at the United Nations last September, but Iran is getting closer to that red line."

The president is scheduled to make a trip to Israel later this month. It's his first visit to the Jewish state since becoming president.