Netanyahu to US: We'll Stop Iran if You Don't

President accused of 'outsourcing' action against Iran's nuclear program

(NEWSER) - An Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities now looks inevitable and President Obama appears to be doing his best to speed the process along, Bret Stephens writes in the Wall Street Journal. The president has accepted Iran's offer for talks—despite Iran making it clear that its nuclear program won't be up for discussion—Stephens writes, making it clear to Israel's leaders that he's not playing hardball and they must take action themselves to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. More»

Thinks 'credible military threat' the only way Tehran will abandon nukes

(NEWSER) - Benjamin Netanyahu thinks the only way to keep Iran in its place is with a big stick: The Israeli PM, meeting with Joe Biden yesterday, reportedly said that the only thing that will deter Iran's march toward nuclear power is a "credible military threat" against Iran—not sanctions. Defense Secretary Robert Gates quickly backed away from Netanyahu's comments, saying that sanctions are "biting more deeply" than thought and that military action wouldn't "get Iran to take the actions it needs to." More»

West will get tough on Iran; Israel will freeze settlements

(NEWSER) - In exchange for a tougher US and European line on a nuclear Iran, Israel is prepared to freeze the majority of settlement construction in Palestinian territory, paving the way for renewed Mideast peace talks, the Guardian reports. The groundwork—George Mitchell and Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to hammer out the details tomorrow—could allow President Obama to announce a resumption of talks before the end of next month. He hopes to make the announcement flanked by the Israeli and Palestinian heads of state and have a comprehensive deal in place within two years. More»

(AP) - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed a face-to-face debate with President Barack Obama at the United Nations if he is re-elected next month as Iran's president. But at a news conference today, Ahmadinejad balanced the offer with a sharp rebuke to Washington and its allies over Iran's nuclear program. He reiterated that Iran would never abandon its advances in uranium enrichment in exchange for offers of easing sanctions or other economic incentives. The nuclear issue "is closed," he told a news conference. More»

Outraged as Iranian, Swiss leaders meet at UN racism conference

(NEWSER) - Israel has angrily called home its ambassador to Switzerland after that country's president met with Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ahead of a politically charged UN meeting on racism that began today, the Times of London reports. On Israel's Holocaust Memorial Day, Switzerland’s “guest of honor is a racist and a Holocaust-denier who doesn’t conceal his intention to wipe Israel off the face of this earth,” PM Benjamin Netanyahu said. More»