The press conference that followed the signing of a joint declaration on US-Israeli strategic cooperation by President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid Thursday exposed the divide between the two leaders on the Iranian nuclear file.

Hailed by Israeli diplomats as historic, the statement — known as the Jerusalem Declaration — reaffirms the unshakable bonds between both countries, "and the enduring commitment of the United States to Israel’s security. Our countries further reaffirm that the strategic US-Israel partnership is based on a bedrock of shared values, shared interests and true friendship. Furthermore, the United States and Israel affirm that among the values the countries share is an unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the calling of 'Tikkun Olam' [repairing the world]."

The declaration further underscores the American commitment never to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, and that it is "prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome. The United States further affirms the commitment to work together with other partners to confront Iran’s aggression and destabilizing activities, whether advanced directly or through proxies and terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”

Addressing the press after the signature ceremony, Lapid stressed the need to put Iran against the wall, forcing it to take a decision. “The only thing that will stop Iran is knowing that if they continue to develop their nuclear program the free world will use force. The only way to stop them is to put a credible military threat on the table,” he said, adding that such a threat should not be a bluff. “The Iranian regime must know that if they continue to deceive the world, they will pay a heavy price.”