MUNICH: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday thatIsrael would act against Iran, not just its allies in the Middle East, ifneeded, reiterating that Tehran was the world’s greatest threat.

Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursioninto Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the MunichSecurity Conference: ”Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose ofterror around our neck. We will act if necessary not just against Iran’sproxies but against Iran itself”.

Addressing the Munich event for the first time, Netanyahu urged gathered USand European officials and diplomats to counter Iran immediately,displaying a map showing what he said was Iran’s growing presence in theMiddle East.

He said Iran was increasing its power as the US-led coalition against Daeshin Iraq and Syria regains territory from militants.

“The unfortunate thing is that as ISIS compresses and Iran moves in, it istrying to establish this continuous empire surrounding the Middle East fromthe south in Yemen but also trying to create a land bridge from Iran toIraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza,” Netanyahu said.

“This is a very dangerous development for our region.”

Tensions surged on February 10 when anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeliwarplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria.

That was the most serious confrontation yet between Israel andIranian-backed forces based across the border. – Agencies