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The US Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden has advised senior Israeli officials to come to terms with a 'nuclear' Iran.

In a clandestine meeting with unnamed Israeli officials, which was partially covered by the US Jewish Army Radio, Barack Obama's vice-presidential nominee said, "Israel will have to reconcile itself with the nuclearization of Iran."

According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Biden, a six-time Delaware Senator and chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the "amazed" officials, "It's doubtful if the economic sanctions will be effective, and I am against opening an additional military and diplomatic front."

Biden has been a Senator for Delaware since 1973, and is running mate to Barack Obama in the race for the presidency of the United States.

The pro-Israeli Senator also said that Israel is America's biggest ally in the Middle East and its strategic alliance has allowed the US to deploy fewer troops and warships in the region.

Iran says its nuclear program is only for civilian purposes but the Israeli regime and the US accuse the country of seeking nuclear weapons.