Iran: Israel crossed red line

During his speech at the United Nations in New York, Netanyahu used an illustrated bomb diagram to call for a "clear red line" to be drawn with regard to Iran's nuclear program, which he says is being used to develop atomic weapons.

Vahidi responded in kind on Saturday, saying Israel has already breached its own nuclear red line.

"If having the atomic bomb is passing the red line, the Zionist regime, that possesses dozens of nuclear warheads and weapons of mass destruction, has passed the red line years ago, and it has to be stopped," Vahidi (pictured at top) told the ISNA news agency.

"Which country is more dangerous?" asked the minister. "A regime with nuclear weapons threatening another country with military attack or a country which is in favor of nuclear disarmament and pursues peaceful nuclear programs within international regulations?"

Israel is the only official nuclear power in the Middle East, with analysts estimating an arsenal of up to 200 or more weapons. Israel, a member of the Atomic Energy Agency, has never signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Though Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Israel has said otherwise, warning of the "existential" threat from Tehran.

US in 'full agreement'

The White House said Friday in a press release that US President Barack Obama and Netanyahu are in "full agreement on the shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

The release added that the two leaders are working closely in dealing with issues "regarding the threat posed by Iran – its nuclear program, proliferation and support for terrorism."

dr/tm (AFP, dpa, AP)