Row between U.S., Netanyahu over Iran worsens

PanARMENIAN.Net - A row between the U.S. and Benjamin Netanyahu has deepened, with the Israeli leader accusing America and others of "giving up" on trying to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, BBC News reports.

The U.S. Secretary of State questioned Netanyahu's judgement on the issue.

Republican leaders have invited Netanyahu to address the U.S. Congress next week, angering Democrats. A White House spokesman warned against reducing U.S.-Israeli ties to a party political issue.

Earlier, U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Netanyahu's visit was "destructive to the fabric of the relationship".

In response Netanyahu said the U.S. and others were "accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, will develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons".

"I respect the White House and the president of the United States but on such a fateful matter, that can determine whether or not we survive, I must do everything to prevent such a great danger for Israel," he said in a speech in Israel.

Late on Wednesday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry rebuffed Netanyahu, saying: "He may have a judgment that just may not be correct here."

He said it was premature to criticise nuclear the negotiations with Tehran. "The president has made clear - I can't state this more firmly - the policy is Iran will not get a nuclear weapon," Kerry told senators. He was speaking after returning from the latest round of nuclear talks involving Iran in Geneva.

Netanyahu was invited by House Speaker John Boehner in what is seen as a rebuke to U.S. President Barack Obama's Iran policy. Netanyahu is expected to discuss Iran, as well as Islamist militant groups, in his address.

The current tensions took root over a decade ago when Iran's nuclear program first came to light. In 2005, Iran was referred to the UN Security Council, leading to a series of sanctions and UN resolutions requiring Tehran to stop enriching uranium.

The U.S. and other powers - the so-called P5+1 - are negotiating with Iran on its nuclear programme. They want to agree a deal by March this year, but Netanyahu is opposed to any agreement which might allow Tehran to retain the future capacity to build a nuclear weapon.