BEIJING, Jan. 23 -- Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has hinted Israel is preparing for military action to stop Iran's nuclear program, but says international diplomacy must be the first course of action.

    Speaking at a high-profile academic conference Saturday, Mofaz has suggested Israel would take military action to thwart Iran's nuclear program.

    "Yesterday, the Iranian President outdid himself, and in order to be sure that the terror against Israel will not slow down for a moment, and will even increase, met with the heads of all terror organizations personally."

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met with leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Syria on Friday.

    Israel has long identified Iran as its biggest threat and has accused the Tehran government of pursuing nuclear weapons.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)