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Trump warns of Iranian nuclear threat on visit to Israel Trump warns of Iranian nuclear threat on visit to Israel
(about 1 hour later)
US President Donald Trump has begun a visit to Israel by warning of the threat posed by Iran if it acquires nuclear weapons.US President Donald Trump has begun a visit to Israel by warning of the threat posed by Iran if it acquires nuclear weapons.
"Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon," he told reporters in Jerusalem, speaking beside Israeli President Reuven Rivlin."Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon," he told reporters in Jerusalem, speaking beside Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
He flew in from Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, where he gave a speech to Arab and Muslim leaders at a summit.He flew in from Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, where he gave a speech to Arab and Muslim leaders at a summit.
Mr Trump will hold talks with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Mr Trump is holding separate talks with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
He has called an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement "the ultimate deal" but has been vague about what form it should take, saying he prefers to leave it to both sides to decide between them in direct talks.He has called an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement "the ultimate deal" but has been vague about what form it should take, saying he prefers to leave it to both sides to decide between them in direct talks.
The two-day visit to Israel forms part of Mr Trump's first foreign trip as US president.The two-day visit to Israel forms part of Mr Trump's first foreign trip as US president.
What else did Trump say about Iran?What else did Trump say about Iran?
It must also "cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias", Mr Trump said at President Rivlin's residence.It must also "cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias", Mr Trump said at President Rivlin's residence.
In a deal with world powers in 2015, Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear programme in return for tangible economic benefits, and the White House confirmed last month that the deal was still holding.In a deal with world powers in 2015, Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear programme in return for tangible economic benefits, and the White House confirmed last month that the deal was still holding.
However, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has underlined that his country's policy towards Iran is under full-scale review. Israel, meanwhile, considers Iran a mortal threat.However, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has underlined that his country's policy towards Iran is under full-scale review. Israel, meanwhile, considers Iran a mortal threat.
Speaking later to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Mr Trump pledged Iran would never get nuclear weapons.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected for a second term last week, championed the 2015 deal but on Monday he appeared to sweep aside international concern about Iran's missile programme.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected for a second term last week, championed the 2015 deal but on Monday he appeared to sweep aside international concern about Iran's missile programme.
"The Iranian nation has decided to be powerful," he said on state TV. "Our missiles are for peace and for defence... American officials should know that whenever we need to technically test a missile, we will do so and will not wait for their permission.""The Iranian nation has decided to be powerful," he said on state TV. "Our missiles are for peace and for defence... American officials should know that whenever we need to technically test a missile, we will do so and will not wait for their permission."
Mr Rouhani also played down Mr Trump's strong criticism of Iran at a summit in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, saying: "Who can say regional stability can be restored without Iran?"Mr Rouhani also played down Mr Trump's strong criticism of Iran at a summit in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, saying: "Who can say regional stability can be restored without Iran?"
Where else did Trump go in Jerusalem?Where else did Trump go in Jerusalem?
After leaving President Rivlin's residence, he visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was buried and resurrected.After leaving President Rivlin's residence, he visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was buried and resurrected.
After donning a Jewish skullcap as a mark of respect, he later visited the Western Wall, one of the most sacred sites in Judaism. Then, wearing a Jewish skullcap as a mark of respect, he visited the Western Wall, one of the most sacred sites in Judaism.
He could be seen placing what appeared to be a written note between its stones, as is the custom. The wall is a remnant from the time of the Second Jewish Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
What's on Trump's agenda? Mr Trump could be seen placing what appeared to be a written note between its stones, as is the custom among visitors to leave notes there, such as requests, to God.
He will hold separate meetings with Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem the following day. Can Trump's trip bring peace any closer?
Israel and the Palestinians have not held direct talks in just over three years.
Mr Trump is due to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem on Tuesday.
Just before Mr Trump arrived, Israel announced economic and development concessions for Palestinians, including easing some restrictions on movement and approving industrial construction projects.Just before Mr Trump arrived, Israel announced economic and development concessions for Palestinians, including easing some restrictions on movement and approving industrial construction projects.
The US president has been widely seen as considerably more supportive of Israel than his predecessor, Barack Obama. He has taken a softer position on the contentious issue of Israeli settlements, suggesting that their expansion rather than their presence might hamper the search for peace. The US president has been widely seen as considerably more supportive of Israel than his predecessor, Barack Obama, taking a softer position on the contentious issue of Israeli settlements.
More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, land Palestinians claim for a future state. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
The president has sent mixed signals on the issue of Jerusalem, pledging to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, angering Palestinians and delighting Israelis. However he has since stalled, with Rex Tillerson recently telling NBC News that Mr Trump was weighing it up.
Israel regards the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim the east as their capital. The international community does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.
The ultimate deal: analysis by Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor, JerusalemThe ultimate deal: analysis by Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor, Jerusalem
President Trump believes he is the world's greatest dealmaker, and making peace between Israelis and Palestinians after a century of conflict would be the world's biggest deal.President Trump believes he is the world's greatest dealmaker, and making peace between Israelis and Palestinians after a century of conflict would be the world's biggest deal.
During the US election, candidate Trump expressed views that seemed to fit neatly with those of the right-wing Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu - favouring expansion of Jewish settlements on occupied territory and a tough line towards Palestinian aspirations for independence. During the US election, candidate Trump expressed views that seemed to fit neatly with those of the right-wing Israeli government of Mr Netanyahu - favouring expansion of Jewish settlements on occupied territory and a tough line towards Palestinian aspirations for independence.
But in office, President Trump has been more nuanced - so there has been some nervous speculation on the Israeli right that he might demand concessions from their side.But in office, President Trump has been more nuanced - so there has been some nervous speculation on the Israeli right that he might demand concessions from their side.
More than two decades of failed peace talks show how difficult it is to get a deal between Israel and the Palestinians.More than two decades of failed peace talks show how difficult it is to get a deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Most people, on both sides of the argument, are deeply sceptical about the chances of any progress, no matter what President Trump says or does while he is here.Most people, on both sides of the argument, are deeply sceptical about the chances of any progress, no matter what President Trump says or does while he is here.
What about the rest of the trip? Trump's coming to Europe too, right?
At a summit in Riyadh on Sunday, Mr Trump stated again that he believed peace between Israelis and Palestinians was possible. He will be in Rome to meet Pope Francis and Brussels to see Nato leaders.
He also called on Arab and Muslim leaders to take the lead in combating Islamist militants, urging them to "drive them out of this earth". On Friday, he will return to Italy for to meet other world leaders at a G7 summit in the Sicilian town of Taormina, where climate change is expected to be discussed.
Mr Trump's eight-day trip will also take in Brussels, the Vatican, and Sicily. The president's visit has been overshadowed by political difficulties at home,
The president's visit has been overshadowed by his political difficulties at home, namely the fallout over his sacking of FBI chief James Comey. Latest reports say his former National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, will refuse to give evidence to the Senate Intelligence Committee after being subpoenaed in connection with Moscow's possible involvement in last year's presidential election.