Israel: 'Terrified' Benjamin Netanyahu Obsessed with Nuclear Iran

Israel will not attack Iran while nuclear talks between Tehran and the P5+1 powers are ongoing, according to a senior western official based in the region.

The P5+1 group, which comprises Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the US, is currently locked in negotiations with Iran aimed at stopping the Islamic republic from acquiring a nuclear arsenal.

Many in Israel believe the talks will not reach a resolution before the final deadline of 20 July, and it has been suggested by senior figures in the Israeli establishment that Jerusalem will launch a unilateral strike to force a breakthrough.

However a top official told IBTimes.co.uk that military action by Israel "doesn't seem likely at the moment". He continued by claiming that "undoubtedly Israel does have some options, you always do, but over time the costs go up and the benefits go down."

Despite Israel's perceived reluctance, the official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "terrified of a bad nuclear deal, and "is genuinely Iran-focused, he obsesses about it".

During the Herzliyah security conference held in Israel this week, several senior members of the country's military said that, regarding Iran, "no deal is better than a bad deal" - suggesting that the Israeli government may refuse to comply with any agreement it deems unsatisfactory.