US vows to use all means to stop Iran nuclear bomb in new Israel pact

Biden took time during his gruelling Middle East tour to pose for a picture with US athletes competing in the Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem

The US and Israel signed a new security pact Thursday reinforcing their common front against Iran, as President Joe Biden vowed to use "all" American power to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The declaration was inked by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Biden, who was making his first trip to the Middle East as president.

A landmark deal that imposed curbs on Iran's suspect nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief was torpedoed in 2018 by former US president Donald Trump. Efforts to revive the accord have stalled since March.

Israel, which has the Middle East's sole but undeclared nuclear arsenal, is staunchly opposed to the deal with Iran, which has always denied seeking the bomb.

"The only thing that will stop Iran is knowing that if they continue to develop their nuclear programme the free world will use force," he said.

"Any mistake made in this region will be met with a harsh and regrettable response," Raisi said in televised remarks.

Biden touched down in Israel on Wednesday, his 10th visit to the Jewish state since 1973, when he came as a newly elected senator.

"I told him that the Iran deal is lousy. He knows my position," said a statement released after the meeting by Netanyahu, whose outspoken opposition to the deal soured Israel's relations with former president Barack Obama's administration, in which Biden served as vice president.   

Biden said the journey itself "represents important progress", following Israel launching diplomatic ties in 2020 with Riyadh's Gulf neighbours the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine will be a top priority for the president's meetings with Arab leaders, with volatile oil prices due to be the focus of talks with Saudi officials in particular.

- 'Israel wants peace' -

But he made it clear he has no plans to reverse Trump's controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"A two-state solution is a guarantee for a strong, democratic state of Israel, with the Jewish majority," he said. 

It will also announce measures towards providing 4G internet access in the West Bank and Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, the official said, addressing a persistent Palestinian frustration.

"We are not going to come in with a top down peace plan because we don't believe that would be the best approach," the official said. 

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Originally published as US vows to use all means to stop Iran nuclear bomb in new Israel pact