“While its preference is to coordinate with the US, defense officials have said Israel is preparing a wide range of options for such an operation,” The Jerusalem Post claimed on Thursday.

“It is always better to coordinate, but we are also preparing options that do not include coordination,” the daily quoted an unnamed “top official” as saying last week.

The daily added Israeli officials said although it is difficult to launch an air raid against Iran without receiving help from the US Air Force which controls Iraq’s air space, such an operation is not impossible.

The report came after news stories claiming that US President George W. Bush had refused to give the green light to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a military attack on Iran.

Iran has warned that it would deal “a crushing response” to Israel if Tel Aviv launched an air raid against the country.

Israel and its allies have been accusing Iran of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, however, says its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful purposes.