Israel has formulated a fresh strategy toward Iran after the UN watchdog released its latest report on the country nuclear developments.

After the latest IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program caused a stir in Israeli circles, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi convened a secret meeting.

Addressing the US administration's fresh approach toward Tehran, Barak proposed measures to be taken in order to limit potential US-Iran talks.

US President Barack Obama's pledge to untangle 30 years of enmity toward Iran and engage the country with diplomacy over its long-disputed nuclear case has become a cause for concern in Israel.

"What Israel is trying to do -- in a low-profile way -- is to impact the way the Americans reach the point of dialogue," according to Haaretz.

The Israeli minister expressed hope that potential dialogue between Tehran and Washington will be relatively short-term and without a positive outcome.

Barak had reportedly explained that following the "failure of dialogues" Israel would expect the US to head an international move for immediate and harsher sanctions, this time effectively involving Russia, China and India.

According to Ynet, the Israeli prime minister had ordered a blackout on the details of the meeting.

However, Barak before entering the secret cabinet meeting had said that the IAEA report "demonstrates the need to continue sticking to the Israeli stance, which states that no option should be taken off the table."

The latest report by the IAEA states that Iran has produced a total of some 1,010 kilograms of low enriched uranium (LEU) hexafluoride as of January 31, 2009.

Following the disclosure of the amount of LEU in Iran's possession, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) issued a report claiming that based on the latest findings of the IAEA the country has reached "nuclear weapons breakout capability."

The ISIS technical analysis of Iran's nuclear program added that the country has in theory stockpiled sufficient low-enriched uranium - between 1,000 to 1,700kg - to produce the 20-25kg of highly enriched uranium necessary for one small bomb.

The ISIS report was followed by media estimations that Iran might -- without the knowledge of UN inspectors -- take a step and reprocess its LEU into weapons-grade highly enriched uranium (HEU).

However, IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming dismissed the possibility of any such move by Iran, explaining that, "No nuclear material could have been removed from the facility without the agency's knowledge since the facility is subject to video surveillance and the nuclear material has been kept under seal."

The policies discussed during the secret meeting on Iran came following meetings with US senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman.

According to Haaretz, during their recent visit Kerry and Lieberman, held major discussions on Iran with top Israeli military officials.

Earlier on February 16, an annual defense work plan presented to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi for the year 2009 described Iran as "the No.1 threat the IDF is now preparing for."

The report tasked the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) with reinforcing its strategic aerial capabilities, while zooming in on the development of "remote-piloted vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles", as well as "infrastructural investments in intelligence and communications devices."

The report came in support of long-standing talks running hot and cold about an Israeli military strike on Iran.

Israel, the sole possessor of a nuclear arsenal in the Middle East, has long claimed that Iran, the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) signatory, will have enough fissile material to become a nuclear power by the end of 2009.

Under the allegation, Israeli officials argue that a military attack is a legitimate option for taking out Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

CS/HGH

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