Benjamin Netanyahu speech to Congress: Watch a video of the speech about Iran in full

Israel's Prime Minister addressed a joint session of Congress

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to a joint session of Congress (Reuters)

Israel's leader today addressed a joint session of the US Congress and accused the US government of failing to understand the threat posed by Iran.

"I've come here today because, as prime minister of Israel, I feel a profound obligation to speak to you about an issue that could well threaten the survival of my country and the future of my people - Iran's quest for nuclear weapons," he said.

"We're an ancient people. In our nearly 4,000 years of history, many have tried repeatedly to destroy the Jewish people."

Mr Netanyahu said efforts by the US and other Western nations to negotiate a deal with Iran would not be successful in ensuring Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. His visit to the US and the invitation to speak, made by Republicans without notifying the White House, has seen relations between the two governments reach an all time low.

"The deal will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It would all but guarantee that Iran gets those weapons, lots of them," claimed Mr Netanyahu.

Three years ago, a leaked report produced by the 16 agencies that compromise the US intelligence community concluded that Iran was not seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.