TEL-AVIV, May 14 (RIA Novosti) - U.S. President Barack Obama has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to "surprise the U.S. with an Israeli military operation against Iran," an Israeli newspaper reported Thursday.
Haaretz reported that the message, which reflects Washington's concern over the possibility of independent and uncoordinated actions by Israel directed at Iran, was conveyed by "a senior American official who met in Israel with Netanyahu, ministers and other senior officials."
The newspaper said Obama did not wait for a meeting with Netanyahu set for May 18 and added that the U.S. concerns could have been reinforced by the Israeli prime minister's repeated statements that he was determined to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
Israel is not against the U.S. administration's plans to enter into dialogue with Tehran, but has urged that the talks be limited by strict timeframes, demanding that other measures be used should talks fail.
The West accuses Iran of secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic Republic says it needs nuclear power solely for civilian purposes.
