Merkel tells U.S. Congress Iran must not have nuclear weapons

(RIA Novosti) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday in a historic address to both houses of the U.S. Congress that Iran must not have nuclear weapons.

Iran has been insisting that it needs nuclear energy for electricity generation but the West suspects the Islamic Republic of urging to produce nuclear weapons.

"Iran knows our offer but Iran also knows where we draw a line," Merkel said. "A nuclear bomb in the hands of an Iranian president who denies the Holocaust, threatens Israel and denies Israel the right to exist is not acceptable."

The senators and representatives applauded her when she declared "Whoever threatens Israel, also threatens us."

Merkel is in the United States on a two-day working visit.