Israel reserves right to strike Iran nuke assets: Netanyahu

Jerusalem, Mar 6 (ANI): Israel reserves the right to pre-emptively strike at Iran's nuclear facilities without American support, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

"Israel must have the ability always to defend itself by itself against any threat. When it comes to Israel's security, Israel has the right, the sovereign right, to make its own decisions," The Telegraph quoted Netanyahu, as saying.

He stressed that Israel would remain "master of its fate" after being urged by Obama to allow more time for sanctions against Iran to take effect before resorting to military action.

His statement came after Netanyahu and Obama held a meeting for critical talks at the White House aimed at agreeing a common stance towards Iran's nuclear enrichment programme and the alleged plan to develop a nuclear weapon.

Their meeting came in the wake of international nuclear watchdog head issuing a fresh warning over Iranian nuclear programme.

While Obama has said he will "not hesitate to use force" if required to stop Iran developing the bomb, the White House is anxious to avoid a confrontation, particularly during his re-election campaign.

Israeli officials have indicated they might strike unless the US threatens action to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Obama had repeated the delicately balanced position he gave to a pro-Israeli conference in Washington.

Obama warned 13,000 activists at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee's policy conference that "loose talk of war" was playing into the hands of the Iranian leadership

"We do believe there is still a window that allows for a diplomatic solution," Obama added. (ANI)