Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Jerusalem today that a “real and strong military threat” is needed against Iran’s nuclear program, according to a text message from Netanyahu’s office.

Romney told Netanyahu he “takes seriously” the Israeli position on Iran, according to the message.

To contact the reporter on this story: Calev Ben-David in Jerusalem at cbendavid@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Gwen Ackerman at gackerman@bloomberg.net