JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited the site of Israel’s main nuclear reactor on Tuesday, an official said.

The official would not say what the purpose of Olmert’s visit was.

But the unusual visit to the site in the southern town of Dimona took place against the backdrop of tensions between Israel and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel disputes Iran’s contention that it doesn’t plan to build bombs.

US defence officials have suggested Israel is preparing to attack Iran.

Israel favours tough sanctions to pressure Iran to scale back its nuclear ambitions. But Olmert pointedly has not ruled out an attack.

Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, but has never confirmed or denied that. —AP