Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday refuted recent media reports that Israel is gearing to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

"At the moment, we have no intention to act (against Iran). However, the State of Israel is far from being 'frozen in fear,' or unable to take steps against the threat of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons," Barak told Israeli public radio.

He said that while Israel and the United States were in an agreement on how to deal with the threat, "We don't see eye to eye on everything."

Barak's comments came after U.S. military chief General Martin Dempsey said Wednesday that it was unclear whether Israel would alert his country prior to an attack on Iran's nuclear installations.

Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, also acknowledged that the U.S. and its ally were at odds over the best way to approach Iran's nuclear program, with the former being convinced that sanctions and diplomatic pressure are the right path to follow.

The release of a report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last month confirmed long-voiced concerns by Israel's leadership that Iran was clandestinely pursuing a nuclear program with military goals.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials have since called on the international community to make an all-out effort to stop Iran's drive to acquire nuclear weaponry by sanctioning the Islamic Republic's oil and gas sector and central bank.

The U.S. partially heeded the call, announcing a new round of sanctions against Iran on Nov. 21 that target its petrochemicals industry.

Britain, France, Canada and some other countries said they would join U.S. efforts to intensify punitive financial measures against Iran.

Despite the latest statements by Barak and Dempsey, both Israel and the U.S. have not ruled out the option of a military strike to thwart Tehran's nuclear drive.

Following the publication of the IAEA report, Barak said that Israel was not relying exclusively on "lethal" international sanctions to keep atomic weapons out of Iranian reach.

"As long as no such sanctions have been imposed and proven effective, we continue to recommend to our friends in the world and to ourselves, not to take any option off the table," Barak said.

According to Israeli media, Barak and Netanyahu have already sought a cabinet majority for a military strike.

Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful -- mainly geared to produce electricity. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned that a harsh response would follow an attack on his country's nuclear facilities.

On Thursday, Barak said that while he would be happy if sanctions and diplomacy would suffice to stop Iran's drive to produce nuclear arms, "To my great sorrow, that's not going to happen."

"It is widely agreed that the non-diplomatic option is last, but the challenge is very serious and it's imperative to look at it with open eyes," said Barak.

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