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Netanyahu: Iran Nuclear Plan Threatens World

Israel's Prime Minister has told Congress that Iran's nuclear programme is a global menace, as he warned strongly against a US deal with his country's archenemy.

In a historic address, Benjamin Netanyahu said the emerging agreement was "very bad" and could trigger "a countdown to a nuclear nightmare".

He prompted one of more than 20 standing ovations as he told lawmakers: "Iran's regime poses a grave threat, not only to Israel but also to the peace of the entire world."

"We must all stand together to stop Iran's march of conquest, subjugation and terror," he said.

President Barack Obama - who told reporters he did not watch the speech, but read a transcript - said Mr Netanyahu "didn't offer any viable alternatives" in his speech.

The White House has given the Israeli PM the cold shoulder because his visit was arranged with congressional Republicans, without notifying the White House in advance.

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers said they would boycott the speech out of loyalty to Mr Obama.

But Mr Netanyahu, who was greeted by thunderous applause as he arrived at the US House of Representatives, told lawmakers: "I deeply regret that some perceive my being here as political.

"That was never my intention."

He urged the United States and other world powers to hold out for a "better deal" with Iran.

"This deal won't be farewell to arms - it will be a farewell to arms control," he said.

Mr Netanyahu told lawmakers Iran's programme "could well threaten the survival of my country and the future of my people".

He also said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei "spews the oldest hatred of anti-Semitism".

Iran's co-operation in the battle against the Islamic State did not make it a US ally, he stressed.

Shortly before Mr Netanyahu spoke, Iran rebuked President Obama for his remarks about the nuclear negotiations.

Mr Obama said a minimum 10-year agreement offered the best hope of avoiding an atomic-armed Tehran.

But Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif branded Mr Obama's remarks "illogical" and "unacceptable".

He spoke as he met with US Secretary of State John Kerry for a second day in Switzerland ahead of a 31 March deadline for a deal.

The White House cited the need not to favour any candidate in Israel's 17 March elections as its reason for withholding an invite to Mr Netanyahu while he was in Washington.

But the two leaders have long had a tense relationship .

Mr Netanyahu joins Winston Churchill as the only foreign leader to have addressed Congress three separate times.

The Republicans are presenting him with a bust of Britain's wartime prime minister in honour of the occasion.