Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says the United States has a “solemn duty and moral imperative” to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons.

Romney said during a visit to Israel Sunday that Iran is a country whose leaders have denied the Holocaust and say they want to wipe Israel off the map. He said the United States will never look away from what he called its passion and commitment to Israel.

The likely Republican presidential nominee did not overtly comment on President Barack Obama's policy toward Iran, which, while not ruling out the use of force, has focused on diplomacy.

Romney also declared Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel, angering Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat. Erakat told the French News Agency the statement is unacceptable and harmful to U.S. interests.

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Romney travels to Poland Monday, the last stop on a foreign trip that also included a visit to the London Summer Olympics.