In an address, the Israeli prime minister said Iran had taken steps to weaponize enriched uranium and was on the cusp of developing a nuclear weapon.

President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that he wanted to let negotiations with Iran run their course before exercising military options, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday night.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Israel’s longest serving prime minister faces the difficult task of overcoming opposition both domestically and abroad.

Most countries have refused such a move, viewing it as tacit recognition of Israel’s claim to Jerusalem as its capital - Anadolu Ajansı

A source close to the family explained that the intention behind the exclusion was to create a private and intimate atmosphere, away from political circles.

By bnm Tel Aviv bureau Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided the collapse of his government after reaching a compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties over demands to exempt large portions of eligible ultra-religious Haredi men from IDF service.