Rice accuses Iran of spreading extremism

Speaking to American Jewish leaders at a conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Rice reassured them of Washington's commitment to protect longtime ally Israel against threats from Tehran and said successful Palestinian statehood negotiations could counter Iran's power in the region.

"We will defend against any action, as we always have, that would compromise Israel's security," Rice said to applause from delegates at the meeting of the United Jewish Communities.

The United States is hosting a peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, probably this month, that Rice hopes will kick-start serious talks between Israelis and Palestinians on core issues - the right of return of refugees, the future of Jerusalem and the contours of a future Palestinian state.

Rice said a strong Palestinian state, where Israel's security was assured, would counter a rise of extremism across the region that was being spurred on by Iran's actions.

"A responsible Palestinian state can be a bulwark against that threat (of extremism)," said Rice. "This makes the two-state solution more urgent than ever," she added.