JERUSALEM, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that new diplomatic overtures made by the United States to Iran were highly unlikely to halt the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

    "I believe that the chance the dialogue has of stopping Iran's nuclear efforts is very low," Barak was quoted by Israel Radio as saying.

    "I also believe the Americans understand this. They only think that there is logic to this, even if the chance is low... in order to contend with what needs to, or is likely to happen in the future," said the defense minister.

    He added that Iran posed one of the most "serious potential threats" against Israel, reiterating that the Jewish state would not take any options off the table regarding Iran's nuclear program.

    The United States and Israel have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, but Iran has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

    Since taking office in January, U.S. President Barack Obama has made some diplomatic overtures to Iran that has so far been rebuffed.

    Last week, Obama said he would not pursue this policy indefinitely and would like to see some progress on the nuclear issue by the end of this year.