Netanyahu Flies to Washington to Deliver Speech on Iran's Nuclear 'Threat'

The Israeli prime minister is expected to warn US lawmakers about the alleged threat posed by Iran's nuclear program. He has been a strong opponent of a deal between Tehran and international mediators.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called himself an emissary of all Israelis and Jews, as he was boarding a plane Sunday to deliver a long-anticipated speech in US Congress.

Netanyahu is expected to warn US lawmakers about the alleged threat posed by Iran's nuclear program. The Israeli leader has been a strong opponent of a deal between Tehran and international mediators, that would ease up pressure on Iran in exchange for guarantees that it will not develop nuclear weapons.

"I'm leaving for Washington on a fateful, even historic mission. I feel that I am an emissary of all Israel's citizens, even those who don't agree with me. For the entire Jewish people," Netanyahu said, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post.

The Israeli prime minister was invited to address a joint session of Congress on March 3 by US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner. The invitation has stirred up controversy after the White House accused Boehner of violating protocol. Boehner argued that he wished to give Netanyahu a chance to express his viewpoint.

Earlier this week, the White House stated that US President Barack Obama would not be meeting with Netanyahu to avoid making an impression of interfering in Israel's politics prior to the March 17 elections in the country. US Vice President Joe Biden said he would not attend Netanyahu's speech due to prior travel commitments.