Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak (L) sits across from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem April 29, 2012. Netanyahu dropped heavy hints on Sunday of an early election, shifting the national focus from a former spymaster's accusations that he could start a "messianic" war with Iran. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS)
Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak (L) told Army Radio that buying time is a problem for Israel.      — File Photo by REUTERS

JERUSALEM: Israel's defense minister says Iran’s preliminary agreement to open its nuclear facilities to UN inspectors doesn't rule out a possible Israeli military strike.

Ehud Barak said on Wednesday that he’s skeptical about the deal, which he calls an Iranian ploy to fend off international pressure to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

But Barak told Army Radio that buying time is a problem for Israel.

He says that a “nuclear Iran is intolerable and no options should be taken off the table.” The phrase is Israel’s oblique reference to the use of force.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Israel, like the West, suspects Iran is developing a nuclear bomb.

Iran and six world powers are to meet in Baghdad later Wednesday for another round of nuclear talks.

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