The US ambassador to Israel today played down speculation that an attack on Iranian nuclear sites by either country was imminent, saying that the allies agreed force should remain a last resort.
"I don't think any decisions have been made to attack Iran in the near future," YNet, an Israeli news Web site in Hebrew, quoted Richard Jones as saying.
"Use of military force is a last option and Israel and the United States are cooperating on this matter."
Jones's spokesman, Stewart Tuttle, could not immediately confirm the envoy had made the remarks.
U.S. President George W. Bush yesterday reiterated his administration's support for letting diplomatic pressure on Tehran run its course, but that "all options are on the table".
Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons, has defied U.N. Security Council sanctions designed to curb its access to technologies with bomb-making potential.