PM Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly
PM Netanyahu addresses UN General AssemblyAvi Ohayon / GPO / Flash90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was scheduled to begin addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York at 1:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. Israel time), as the Middle East and the world appear to be heading toward a conflict involving Iran and Israel.

Netanyahu's speech is preceded by an address by Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Netanyahu wants the international community to spell out "red lines" in Iran's nuclear weapons program that will trigger a military strike on Iran, should Iran cross them. He may spell out these lines in his speech.

The upcoming U.S. election, which is a close contest between incumbent Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney, adds a background of drama and uncertainty to the historic speech.