(Reuters) - Republican presidential candidates competed to be the most hawkish on Iran and favorable to Israel before the powerful pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC on Tuesday, telling Iran it would be in real danger if it goes nuclear while they are in the White House. 

"If Iran doesn't get rid of nuclear facilities, we will tear them down ourselves," said Rick Santorum, the conservative former senator whose views on the subject already were well known. In January, Santorum said he would be in favor of launching U.S. air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities.

 

Santorum, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and congressman Ron Paul were busy battling for U.S. votes on Tuesday, the biggest day in the race so far to be the Republican challenger to President Barack Obama in the November 6 election. Ten states were holding primary contests on what is called "Super Tuesday."