3rd LD-Writethru: U.S., Israel disagree over Iran's nuke program, but ties strong: Netanyahu

The United States and Israel disagree on how to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but their alliance is "stronger than ever," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said here Monday.

The potential deal on Iran's nuclear program that world powers and Iran are negotiating "could threaten the survival of Israel", Netanyahu said at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, adding that he has a "moral obligation" to speak up in the face of the dangers to the Israelis.

Encapsulating the differences between the U.S. and Israel over Tehran's nuclear program, Netanyahu said, "American leaders worry about the security of their country. Israeli leaders worry about the survival of their country."

But the Israeli leader emphasized the strong relations between the U.S. and Israel in an effort to play down the rift between the long-time allies.

Reports of the demise of the Israeli-U.S. relations are not only premature, "they are just wrong," Netanyahu said. "Our alliance is stronger than ever."

Netanyahu, who is to speak before Congress at the invitation of Republican House Speaker John Boehner on Tuesday, is expected to reiterate his objections to the negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. The White House has said President Barack Obama would not meet with Netanyahu, citing that the visit comes in too close proximity to Israeli elections.

Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, has blasted Netanyahu's plans to address Congress as "destructive" to the fabric of the U.S.-Israeli relationship.

"My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed office that he holds," Netanyahu said Monday amid the rising tension between the two countries. "I have great respect for both."

Addressing the same gathering before Netanyahu, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power stressed that the U.S.- Israeli relations can not be "tarnished or broken", saying that " Israel's security and the U.S.-Israel partnership transcends politics."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in Switzerland for talks on Ukraine and Iran's nuclear issues, warned on Monday against actions that may undermine the going nuclear negotiations.

"We are concerned by reports that suggest selective details of the ongoing negotiations will be discussed publicly in the coming days," he told reporters.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a press briefing that Kerry was alluding to reports that Netanyahu would reveal sensitive information about the negotiations.

Harf said the U.S. has "continuously provided detailed classified briefings to Israeli officials to keep them updated and to provide context for how we are approaching getting to a good deal." Endite