U.S-bound Netanyahu aims to nix Iran 'charm offensive'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed for the United States on Sunday determined to use White House talks and a key U.N. speech to counter "sweet talk" by arch-foe Iran.

Netanyahu has been dismissive in his response to a drive by Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani to mend fences with the international community that culminated in a historic 15-minute telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday.

The premier says Rouhani is a "wolf in sheep's clothing" whose talk of allaying Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program is a "confidence trick" and has called on the Jewish state's U.S. ally not to be fooled.

"I intend to tell the truth in the face of the sweet talk and charm offensive of Iran," public radio quoted him as saying before boarding a plane for Washington.

"Telling the truth at this time is essential for world peace and security and, of course, for Israel's security," he said.