Mitt Romney would support Israel’s decision to launch a military strike against Iran to keep that country from achieving nuclear capabilities, but hopes diplomatic and military measures will dissuade Tehran from pursing its path toward nuclear acquisition, a top foreign policy adviser for the GOP presidential candidate said Sunday.

“Gov. Romney believes we should employ any and all measures to dissuade the Iranian regime from its nuclear course, and it is his fervent hope that diplomatic and economic measures will do so,” said adviser Dan Senor, previewing a speech Romney is scheduled to make Sunday afternoon. ”In the final analysis, of course, no option should be excluded. Gov. Romney recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, and that it is right for America to stand with it."

Romney is on a seven-day overseas trip that started Friday in England, will continue this weekend in Israel and conclude in Poland.  

Senor said Romney thinks preventing nuclear "capability" -- not just a nuclear weapon -- is critical.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday welcomed Romney as "a representative of the United States" and said he agrees with his approach to the threat of a nuclear Iran.