JERUSALEM, April 11: Israeli defence officials asked Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to raise a military option against Iran’s nuclear programme with US President George Bush in Monday’s talks. According to Israel’s Army Radio, US defence officials had so far refused Israeli entreaties to discuss attacking Iranian nuclear facilities as a last resort should diplomatic pressure fail.

The radio said Mr Sharon planned to raise Iran’s atomic development drive with Mr Bush, but it was unclear whether he suggested a possible military strike. The talks were devoted mainly to Israel’s planned Gaza pullout and other peace issues with Palestinians.

The Jewish state has made clear it considers all options legitimate for preventing Tehran from getting the bomb. But analysts agree that Israel would be unlikely to resort to force unless authorized by the United States.

Iran, which denies seeking a nuclear bomb, is in talks with the European Union on curbing its uranium enrichment, a process that could be used to produce nuclear weapons.

Army Radio said Israel, believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear power, wants to prepare a military alternative.

—Reuters