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Israel's Prime Minister was kept waiting on the steps of 10 Downing Street today as he arrived for crunch talks with Theresa May.

Protests and heavy security surrounded Benjamin Netanyahu's first summit with the British PM - where he demanded "Iran's aggression does not go unanswered".

But there were awkward scenes when he was left standing alone at her famous black door for around 20 seconds.

He could be seen apparently rocking on the balls of his feet, his hands clasped behind his back, before he was eventually let in.

The door cannot be opened from the outside.

(Image: Getty) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: Getty)

Mr Netanyahu did not ring the bell, but didn't have to - as behind the door is a policeman watching an array of CCTV monitors that cover the street.

Dozens of police vans lined up around Whitehall today as pro-Palestinian protesters took to the street a few yards away.

Mrs May was due to raise the issue of illegal settlements with Israel's leader in a bid for a "lasting two-state solution".

But before the formal talks could begin, he lectured Mrs May publicly on the need to stand up to Iranian aggression.

On the steps of No10 moments after his awkward wait, Mr Netanyahu said “responsible” countries should follow Donald Trump in imposing fresh sanctions against Iran after it test-fired a ballistic missile.

(Image: Getty) (Image: REUTERS)

He took the unusual step of using the so-called “warm words” in front of the world's media, telling Mrs May: “We face challenges, that’s very clear, from militant Islam and especially from Iran.

“Iran seeks to annihilate Israel, it seeks to conquer the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the West, it threatens the world.

“And it offers provocation after provocation.

"That's why I welcome (US) President Trump's assistance of new sanctions against Iran, I think other nations should follow suit, certainly responsible nations.

"And I'd like to talk to you about how we can ensure that Iran's aggression does not go unanswered."

(Image: Getty)

(Image: London News Pictures Ltd)

Mrs May was under pressure to raise the issue of Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian land, something Britain has long opposed.

She did not mention the issue in her opening remarks but reiterated Britain's call for a two-state solution.

Mrs May said the UK was a "strong and close friend of Israel" as she highlighted their co-operation in science, trade and security.

She said she believed there was "much more we can do" and that it was important to look at how "we can build that relationship".

"But also talking about some issues around the region, Syria and Iran and the whole question of the future of the Middle East," she added.

"And certainly we remain committed to a two-state solution as the best way of brokering stability and peace."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Asked about Israeli anxieties over the Iranian missile trial, Mrs May's spokeswoman told a Westminster media briefing: "We share concerns about that test. It was discussed at the UN and we made clear our position.

"With regard to the specific agreement relating to the nuclear weapons, as the Prime Minister said in Philadelphia, it's important that it is very carefully and rigorously policed, but we should also be clear that it has neutralised the possibility of the Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons for more than a decade."

Mr Netanyahu's determination to press the issue of Iran could make the encounter a potentially tricky test of Mrs May's diplomacy.

Britain was one of the signatories to the 2015 international agreement by which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.

(Image: REUTERS)

But while Mrs May has described it as "vital" for the security of the region, Mr Netanyahu has long made clear he regards it as a bad deal which will do nothing to halt Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown urged the PM to reaffirm Britain's support for the pact, which Mr Trump has called "the worst deal ever negotiated".

"This is a real test for the Prime Minister," the peer said.

"She must clearly show her continued support for the Iran deal, which offers one of the few bright lights in a fast darkening world."