Israel's deputy defence minister, Ephraim Sneh, has denied that Israel was in talks with the US to use Iraqi airspace as part of possible plans to attack Iranian nuclear sites.
The denial stems from a report in a British newspaper which quoted an unnamed senior Israeli defence official saying Israel had sought permission to use an 'air corridor' in Iraq, in the event of an Israeli strike on Iran.
Meanwhile, reports in the US say that a Pentagon panel has been created to plan an attack that could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from President Bush.
Yesterday, US Vice President Dick Cheney left open the possibility of military action against Iran because of its failure to curb its nuclear programme.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Sydney, Mr Cheney said every effort was being made to resolve the issue diplomatically but all options were still on the table.
'It would be a serious mistake if a nation like Iran were to become a nuclear power,' he added.
