Hillary Clinton warned yesterday the US would "obliterate" Iran if it used nuclear weapons against Israel, in comments that could foreshadow a tough new doctrine of deterrence towards the Islamic republic.

"I want the Iranians to know that, if I'm the president, we will attack Iran," Mrs Clinton said in response to a question about a possible Iranian nuclear assault on Israel. "In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."