Breaking News - Israel's Netanyahu turns focus to Iran after narrow win

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Lior Mizrahi / Getty ImagesIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to supporters at his election campaign headquarters early Wednesday morning in Tel Aviv. Exit polls indicate that Netanyahu was re-elected for a third term and will return to office. Israel had the highest turnout of voters since 1999. By Alistair Lyon, ReutersJERUSALEM -- Hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel's parliamentary election, shrugging off surprise losses to center-left challengers and vowing to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

However, Tuesday's vote, which also disappointed religiously inspired hardliners, may deflect the premier's focus on confronting Tehran and resisting Palestinian demands as Israel's secular middle-class demanded new attention on domestic issues.

That in turn might draw Netanyahu toward a less fractious relationship with his key ally, U.S. President Barack Obama, who himself embarked on a new term this week with great ambitions.


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