Israel's Peres: Iran 'Will Be Stopped'

Israeli President Shimon Peres took the stage at AIPAC today with Iran squarely in his crosshairs: Speaking just before President Obama, CNN reports that Peres said that while "peace is always our first option ... if we are forced to fight, trust me, we shall prevail." Peres minced no words, declaring Tehran "an evil, cruel, morally corrupt regime ... based on destruction. It is an affront to human dignity."

Of US-Israeli relations, he said, "There is no space between us. Our message is clear: Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon." Further, "Iran's ambition is to control the Middle East, so it can control a major part of the world's economy," Peres said. "It must be stopped. And it will be stopped." Next up: Obama's crucial speech. (More Shimon Peres stories.)