Obama firm on Iran nuclear plans


Mr Obama pledged his commitment to Israeli security during his Sderot visit


US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has said the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
During a visit to the southern Israeli town of Sderot Mr Obama warned a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to world security.
The Illinois senator pledged his commitment to Israeli security and to Middle East peace talks during a two-day visit to the region.
He has met Israeli leaders as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon" said Mr Obama.
He added that the global community should offer "big sticks and big carrots" to persuade Iran to halt its nuclear programme.
If elected the Democratic Party candidate said he would take "no options off the table" in dealing with the Islamic republic.
Iran insists its nuclear aims are peaceful and in a strongly worded speech on Wednesday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country would not "retreat one iota" in its nuclear activities.
Quick engagement
Sderot has been the site of frequent Palestinian militant rocket attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
I'm here on this trip to reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States my abiding commitment to its security


Barack Obama



Speaking in front of a pile of spent mortar shells Mr Obama reiterated his view that Jerusalem should be Israel's capital but insisted the city's final status must be decided through peace talks.
He angered the Palestinian leadership last month by saying the city - which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state - should be Israel's "undivided" capital.
Earlier Mr Obama held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah telling him that he would quickly engage in the Middle East peace process were he elected president an aide to Mr Abbas said.
"Obama confirmed to President Abbas that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process" the aide Saeb Erekat told reporters after their meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Mr Obama told Mr Abbas he would "not waste a minute" on trying to resolve the Middle East conflict if he was elected president Mr Erekat said.
By simply visiting Ramallah Mr Obama has gained the appreciation of Palestinians and distinguished himself from his Republican rival John McCain says the BBC's James Coomarasamy who is travelling with the senator.
Mr McCain did not visit the West Bank during his visit to the region.
Reassure voters On Wednesday Mr Obama told Israeli President Shimon Peres he wanted to "reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States [and] my abiding commitment to its security".

He said it was "my hope that I can serve as an effective partner whether as a... senator or as a president in bringing about a more lasting peace in the region."
Mr Obama has also met with Defence Minister Ehud Barak opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and will later hold talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Wearing a Jewish skullcap Mr Obama laid a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum.
"Let our children come here and know this history so that they can add their voices to proclaim 'never again'" he wrote in the museum's visitors' book.
False claims
Mr Obama is in the region to reassure American voters especially Jewish Democrats of his foreign policy credentials ahead of November's presidential election says the BBC's Middle East correspondent Paul Wood.
Plans to visit the West Bank generated some goodwill among Palestinians


Our correspondent also says he faces a US electorate which includes 10% who think he is a Muslim according to a recent opinion poll.
Some also believe he was educated in a madrassa (Islamic religious school) and refused to place his hand on the Bible when sworn into the Senate - all false claims adds our correspondent.
Mr Obama arrived in Israel on Tuesday night from neighbouring Jordan where he met King Abdullah.
He earlier joined a US congressional delegation on a visit to Iraq where he met Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar province and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Baghdad.
He repeated his goal of withdrawing US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months should he become president. He is due to leave for Germany early on Thursday. Back in the US Mr McCain said Mr Obama had been wrong to press for withdrawal tiaaaables.