Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Canada on March 2, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The visit comes as speculation grows whether Israel will mount a pre-emptive military strike to derail Iran’s nuclear weapons development in defiance of stiff economic sanctions and international condemnation.

Netanyahu is certain to get a warm reception from Harper and the Conservative cabinet, who have declared that Canada stands as a staunch backer of Israel on the world stage. And on the question of Iran, Netanyahu will find a close ally in Harper, who has said the country’s drive to develop nuclear weapons and its leadership represent a serious threat to world security.

“Their statements imply to me no hesitation about using nuclear weapons if they see them achieving their religious or political purposes. And . . . I think that’s what makes this regime in Iran particularly dangerous,” Harper told the CBC last month.

Other countries are urging caution, saying that sanctions and diplomatic efforts should be given more time to deter Iran. Canada imposed yet more sanctions against Iran at the end of January.

Netanyahu’s visit could also be the backdrop for Harper to announce his own visit to Israel. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty visited Israel earlier this month.

Meanwhile, in Iran, UN nuclear inspectors starting a two-day visit to Tehran on Monday sought to meet Iranian nuclear scientists and visit a key military facility as they try to gauge allegations that Iran is pushing toward making an atomic weapon.

The trip is the second in less than a month by the International Atomic Energy Agency team, reflecting growing concerns over alleged weapons experiments — something Iran has so far both denied and refused to discuss.

Full story via TheStar