US President Joe Biden on Monday stressed that Iran will never get nuclear weapons during his tenure. Biden made the statement following the launching of US airstrikes against targets for Iranian-backed armed groups in Iraq and Syria. "What I could say is that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon, on my watch," he said. On US strike in Iraq and Syria he said: "I directed last night airstrikes, targeting site used by the Iranian backed militia group responsible for recent attacks on US personnel on rack, and I have that authority under Article Two". Biden also reassured Israel's president, ahead of a visit by new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, that the United States will not permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons. "Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch," Biden told President Reuven Rivlin in the White House on Monday. Biden also dismissed congressional critics who have questioned his legal authority in ordering airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias accused of attacking US personnel in Syria and Iraq. "I have that authority," Biden said. The close US-Israeli relationship hit a rocky patch when Biden replaced Donald Trump in January. However, the formation of a new government under Bennett, following the downfall of key Trump ally Benjamin Netanyahu, has opened the door to a reset — and a Bennett visit in the near future. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the Biden-Rivlin meeting "highlight the strength of the relationship from our shared interest in security and stability." Psaki said there was no date yet for Bennett's White House trip but "the president looks forward to hosting the prime minister and it's soon." On Sunday, Israel's new foreign minister, Yair Lapid, told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a meeting in Rome that he was concerned about US talks with Iran over the country's nuclear ambitions. However, he pledged a more cooperative approach. "We believe the way to discuss those disagreements is through direct and professional conversations," Lapid said. "In the past few years mistakes were made," Lapid added, referring to Netanyahu's alliance with Trump's Republican Party. "We will fix those mistakes together." — Agencies
