Israel warns Iran on nuclear work
The Israeli defence minister has warned that the country will not accept an Iranian nuclear capability.
Shaul Mofaz said that at this stage his government gave priority to diplomatic action aimed at convincing Iran to give up its nuclear programme.
But he added that Israel was preparing for any eventuality and had the "capability to defend itself", after Iran resumed nuclear research.
Iran insists the programme is purely aimed at meeting its energy needs.
However western countries suspect Tehran may be seeking to develop nuclear weapons, and talks over the issue are stalled.
'No first strike'
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agency is due to meet on 2 February to discuss whether to refer Iran to the Security Council.
IRAN'S NUCLEAR STANDOFF
Sept 2002: Work begins on Iran's first reactor at Bushehr
Dec 2002: Satellites reveal Arak and Natanz sites, triggering IAEA inspections
Nov 2003: Iran suspends uranium enrichment and allows tougher inspections
June 2004: IAEA rebukes Iran for not fully co-operating
Nov 2004: Iran suspends enrichment under deal with EU
Aug 2005: Iran rejects EU plan and re-opens Isfahan plant
Jan 2006: Iran re-opens Natanz facility
In depth: Nuclear fuel cycle
Profile: UN Security Council
The council has the power to impose international trade or diplomatic sanctions.
Mr Mofaz told a conference in Herzliya that international diplomacy must be the first course of action.
However, he said that Israel was preparing to protect itself.
"Israel... must have the capability to defend itself, with all that that implies, and this we are preparing," Mr Mofaz said.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly stated that any military action would be part of an international effort, and Israeli officials have denied plans for a unilateral preventive strike.
Israeli concerns about Iran have grown since the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
Distrust
In his speech, Mr Mofaz also warned the Iranian people their president would bring disaster upon them if he continued this call, Reuters news agency reports.
"Ahmadinejad, his hallucinatory statements, his criminal actions and his extreme views will bring disaster upon you," he said.
"Do what you understand needs to be done in order to prevent this."
Washington, Israel and many European powers distrust Iran, partly because it had kept its nuclear research secret for 18 years before it was revealed in 2002.
The crisis intensified earlier this month when Iran resumed research on uranium enrichment.
Western countries are concerned because the process could ultimately be used both to generate electricity and to make nuclear weapons.
Israel does not admit or deny having nuclear weapons, but it is widely believed to possess some.
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