Netanyahu, Obama meet amid Iran tensions

US President Barack Obama said Monday in a meeting with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would "have Israel's back" on security issues, as the leaders hold talks at the White House to be dominated by Iran's attempts to obtain nuclear weapons, dpa reported. In brief public comments before the meeting, the leaders vowed to stand together on Iran, but the issue has proved a sticking point in recent weeks as Obama seemed to urge Israel to hold off on a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. "The United States will always have Israel's back when it comes to Israel's security," Obama said as he sat alongside Netanyahu in the Oval Office. The bilateral talks come amid growing speculation that Israel could launch a military strike to end Iran's nuclear programme, which it regards as an existential threat to the Jewish state. Obama stressed it was in US interests as well as Israeli interests to keep Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and that the US would "reserve all options" even as he reiterated his belief that there is still time for sanctions to work. "My policy here is not going to be one of containment; my policy is prevention of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons," Obama said. "And as I indicated yesterday in my speech, when I say all options are at the table, I mean it." Netanyahu also spoke of the strong alliance between the countries, but stressed his "responsibility as prime minister is to ensure that Israel remains the master of its fate." "Israel must have the ability always to defend itself, by itself, against any threat; and that when it comes to Israel's security, Israel has the right - the sovereign right - to make its own decisions," he said. "I believe that's why you appreciate, Mr President, that Israel must reserve the right to defend itself." But as Netanyahu focussed on Israel's defence, Obama stuck to his emphasis on diplomacy and allowing sanctions against Tehran to work. "I know that both the prime minister and I prefer to resolve this diplomatically," Obama said. "We understand the costs of any military action, and I want to assure both the American people and the Israeli people that we are in constant and close consultation." According to the Jerusalem Post daily, ahead of their meeting, both Obama and Netanyahu had "been sending messages to each other through emissaries." Obama, in an interview with the Atlantic magazine last week and a speech before the America-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Sunday, reassured Israel that, while he preferred diplomacy, he was not ruling out a military option. Netanyahu, who has made stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions one of the main elements of his premiership, told a news conference in Canada on Friday that Israel's first priority was to end the Iran crisis peacefully. He also said Israel was not opposed to the West engaging with Iran, as long as three clear terms were met: that Iran closes down the nuclear facility at Qoms, stops all uranium enriching, and removes from its territory all uranium enriched over 3.5 percent. "The terms Netanyahu laid down have not yet been accepted by Obama," wrote Jerusalem Post analyst Herb Keinon. Meanwhile, Israeli leaders praised Obama's speech to AIPAC, in which the president said that, while he still believed "an opportunity remains for diplomacy" he would take no options off the table, including "all elements of American power." Netanyahu said he "appreciates" the fact that all options were on the table. Israeli President Shimon Peres went further, calling Obama's speech "the most pro-Israel speech that I have ever heard from an American president."