Tehran sanctions are not working, says Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has stepped up pressure on the United States to take military action against Iran by openly declaring that the Obama administration's strategy of sanctions against Tehran was not working.

With Leon Panetta, America's visiting defence secretary, standing next to him, the Israeli prime minister criticised US policy towards Iran in the bluntest terms, demonstrating the growing gulf between the two allies.

"However forceful our statements, they have not convinced Iran that we are serious about stopping them," he said. "Right now the Iranian regime believes that the international community does not have the will to stop its nuclear programme."

Netanyahu again hinted that Israel could take matters into its own hands as he accused Washington of taking too long to move on to a war footing.

"You yourself said a few months ago that when all else fails, America will act," he told Panetta. "But these declarations have also not yet convinced the Iranians to stop their programme.

"This must change, and it must change quickly because time to resolve this issue peacefully is running out."

Panetta adopted a tough tone as he attempted to reassure the Israelis, implicitly threatening an American military attack if Iran failed to curb its nuclear ambitions.

"If they make the decision to proceed with a nuclear weapon, we have options that we are prepared to implement to ensure that does not happen," he said.