Israel warns time short to stop Iranian nuclear plans

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said time is running out to put a stop to Iran’s nuclear programme.Speaking to a pro-Israel conference in the US, Mr Netanyahu said he could not allow his people to “live in the shadow of annihilation”.Israel fears Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, and speculation of a pre-emptive strike has recently grown.US President Barack Obama has said there is still time for diplomacy, but that all options remain open.Tehran insists its nuclear plans are peaceful. Speaking to some 13,000 delegates at the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) on Monday night, Mr Netanyahu reiterated that Israel was “determined to prevent Iran having nuclear weapons”.“Unfortunately, Iran’s nuclear programme has continued to march forward,” he said.There was no war plan, no timetable for military action. But this was still fighting talk. In foreboding terms, Benjamin Netanyahu spelt out the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran, and left little doubt that he will do everything possible to stop it becoming a reality on his watch. Washington agrees with the objective of denying Iran nuclear weapons, but this visit has exposed a fault line on strategy. The Americans believe sanctions are slowly biting, and that hasty military action carries too many risks. But Mr Netanyahu could barely conceal his contempt for sanctions, and argued that the bigger risk lies in NOT acting soon. Moving forward, the two leaders have pledged to “consult closely.” These are wary allies, short on trust - but both aware that this is a vital relationship at a critical time.