The US President sent a clear warning against Iran as tensions in the Middle East flared up. He made the remarks during a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in the White House.

       The 46th President said: “What I can say to you Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch as they say.”

       He also told the Israeli president the US had an “ironclad” responsibility toward Israel’s defence.

       Mr Biden added: “We’re committed to – unwavering commitment to your self defence.

       “It's real. It's something that I often say: If there weren't an Israel we'd have to invent one.”

       On Sunday, Mr Biden ordered a round of airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in response to strikes by the militia on US facilities in Iraq.

       The US military addressed the airstrikes in a statement.

       It confirmed that “operational and weapons storage facilities" at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq were targeted.”

       It is the second time Mr Biden has responded to Iran-backed militia since taking office at the beginning of the year.

       In February, strikes were ordered on a location in Syria in retaliation to rocket attacks from Iraq.