Obama prefers "diplomatic" solution to Iranian nuclear issue

U.S. President Barack Obama said here Wednesday that he prefers to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue in a "diplomatic" manner, which is in the interests of Iran itself.

At a joint press conference after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the visiting U.S. president said that "all options remain on the table" and that he prefers a diplomatic solution.

Obama said that a nuclear armed Iran would be a threat to the region, to the world, as well as to Israel, urging Iran to meet its obligations.

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference after their closed-door meeting at the Prime minister's residence in Jerusalem March 20, 2013.(Xinhua/GPO/Kobi Gideon)

The U.S. president reassured Israel with steady U.S. support over the Iranian nuclear issue.

Israel and some Western countries have long accused Iran of secretly seeking the capability of making nuclear weapons, an accusation denied by Tehran. Iran insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

Israel has long threatened to launch pre-emptive strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomacy and sanctions fail to stop Iran's nuclear drive.

Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday for the first time as U.S. president. At the press conference, Netanyahu said Iran was a major topic during their closed-door meeting on Wednesday evening.