Biden ‘would use force as last resort’ to stop Iranian nuclear weapons

President Joe Biden speaks during a welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport (Ariel Schalit/AP)

President Joe Biden has opened his first visit to the Middle East since taking office by offering Israeli leaders reassurances about his determination to stop Iran’s growing nuclear programme, saying he would be willing to use force “as a last resort”.

The president’s comments came in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 taped before he left Washington and broadcast on Wednesday, hours after the country’s political leaders welcomed him with a red-carpet arrival ceremony at the Tel Aviv airport.