Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Monday reiterated that every option is on the table to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, local news service Ynet reported.
"We insist upon keeping all options viable and we urge others to do the same," the report quoted him as saying alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who is visiting Israel on the Iranian nuclear issue, reported Xinhua.
The Jewish state regards Iran as its major security threat, and has joined the United States and some other countries in accusing the Islamic republic of secretly developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civil project, a charge Iran firmly denies.
While expressing gratitude for the U.S. government's continuous support of Israel, Barak was quoted as stressing that as far as the Iranian nuclear threat is concerned, Israel prefers to defend itself independently.
For his part, Gates reportedly told his host that the U.S. administration's attempt to engage Iran was "not an open-ended offer."
During his quick trip, Gates is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day.
Gates is among a team of high-ranking U.S. officials expected here this week over a wide range of topics, including Israeli- Palestinian conflict, regional peace and Iranian nuclear issues.