'Nothing's off the table': Obama doesn't rule out military option to deal with Iranian nuclear threat



Obama will consult with China and Russia over plan

Says he would strongly prefer diplomatic outcome

Hits back at Romney claiming he would stop threat

Tells China he's had enough of its economic tactics



Barack Obama is turning up the heat on Iran by not ruling out a military option to prevent the country from making nuclear weapons.

The U.S. President also warned he will consult with China and Russia on how to stop Iran making the weapons via its nuclear programme.

He delivered the strong ultimatum on Sunday that he is ‘not taking any options off the table’ but would strongly prefer a diplomatic outcome.

Foreign affairs: President Barack Obama warned he will consult with China and Russia on how to stop Iran making the weapons via its nuclear programme

‘We will be consulting with them carefully over the next several weeks to look at what other options we have available to us,’ he said in Hawaii.

He was speaking at a press conference after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit where he met with the leaders of China and Russia.

President Obama also hit back at Mitt Romney, who claimed on Saturday he could stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons - unlike his rival.

‘Is this an easy issue? No,’ President Obama said. ‘Anybody that claims it is, is either politicking or doesn't know what they're talking about.’

Rivals: Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, left, speaks as Mitt Romney looks on during a foreign policy debate on Saturday in South Carolina

He added that even the Iranian regime understands how much the U.S. wants to prevent a nuclear Iran and an arms race, reported AFP.

'Is this an easy issue? No. Anybody that claims it is, is either politicking or doesn't know what they're talking about' President Barack Obama

He said ‘steady, determined, firm progress in isolating the Iranian regime’ is needed, hitting back at his rival for the 2012 presidential race.

Another Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain, said he is against using the military to stop Iran building a nuclear weapon.

But he added: ‘We could use (our ballistic missile defence - warships) strategically in the event that they were able to fire a ballistic missile.’

Production: The Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. American officials are concerned Iran is making weapons via its nuclear programme

Meanwhile, President Obama warned China that the U.S. is fed up with its trade and currency practices, bluntly saying: ‘Enough's enough’.

He told America's biggest economic rival to stop ‘gaming’ the global system and create a level playing field for U.S. and other foreign businesses.

‘We're going to continue to be firm that China operate by the same rules as everyone else. We don't want them taking advantage of the U.S.'