Israeli President Shimon Peres on Thursday said that the Iranian nuclear issue could not be solved by military means, reported local daily Ha'aretz.

During a meeting with visiting U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell, Peres dismissed as "nonsense" widely spread speculations that the Jewish state is planning to strike Iran's nuclear sites, said the report.

The key to curbing the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions could not be found in a military realm, said the president, whose country has recently voiced support for some western countries' diplomatic efforts with Iran.

For his part, Mitchell stressed that the United States is committed to Israel's security.

Israel sees Iran as one of its major threats as Iranian leaders have repeatedly challenged Israel's right of existence. The Jewish state and its main ally, the United States, have been accusing Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, yet Iran insists that its nuclear programs are designed solely for energy.

Peres's remarks echoed a recent message from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who reportedly said that an Israeli strike would not end but only delay Tehran's nuclear program.

The U.S. envoy, whose visit marked a fresh bid to push forward the stalemated Israeli-Palestinian peace process, is expected to tell Israeli officials that reaching a regional peace treaty will help contain Iran's nuclear drive.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2009)