U.S. President Barack Obama says he will not hesitate to use force against Iran in order to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Obama made the remark while addressing the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee in Washington on Sunday. He called for Israel to allow sanctions more time to further isolate Iran, stressing the need to avoid a unilateral Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

He added that indeed, the international community is strengthening pressure on Iran and there is a possibility of resolving the problem through diplomatic efforts.

The U.S. president also stressed that a nuclear-armed Iran is completely counter to Israel’s security interests and to the national security interests of the U.S.