German Chancellor Angela Merkel has used her first visit to Israel to deliver a strong criticism of Iran, saying it threatens not only the Jewish state but the entire democratic world.
Merkel spoke after meeting interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who expressed Israel's concern at Iran's nuclear programme.
Israel, the US and the European Union have accused Iran of trying to build an atom bomb. Tehran maintains its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.
'Iran is not just a threat to Israel, but also to the democratic countries of this world,' Merkel said.
She said Germany and Israel were in total agreement on the subject of Tehran's plans to produce nuclear fuel by enriching uranium, a process of purifying uranium for use in atomic power plants or weapons.
'I don't see the slightest difference in the views of Germany and Israel,' Merkel said. 'It is clear that Iran should not get the ability to enrich uranium.'
Israel sees Iran's nuclear programme as a threat to its existence and has even hinted that it could use military force to prevent Tehran from getting a bomb.
Merkel also condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his anti-Israeli remarks.
Ahmadinejad has said the Jewish state should be 'wiped off the map' and doubted that six million Jews had been killed by the Nazis during World War Two.
'It's unacceptable that Iran's president rejects and falsifies history,' she said.
Germany, France and Britain have been trying for more than two years to persuade Tehran to give up enrichment in exchange for political and economic incentives but Iran has refused.
