Israeli Defense Minister Tzipi Livni told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the tiny Middle Eastern nation isn’t ruling out any option as it faces a growing Iranian threat, Xinhua news agency reported.

He also told the top American diplomat that Israel wouldn’t recommend that other nations take any option off the table.

Flouting world opinion, Iran continues to produce nuclear materials despite punitive sanctions for its obstinate actions. While Iran claims the materials would power peaceful electrical generation, Western leaders fear Iran will use them to produce nuclear weapons.

Barak told Rice that is precisely what worries Israel, adding that Iran stalls for time by engaging in de-nuclearization talks, even as it rapidly produces more fissile materials.

Iran as well has launched multiple missiles in salvo tests; launched a missile from a submerged submarine; and announced plans for a space program, which involves much the same technology as an intercontinental ballistic missile.

And Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be wiped from the map, and that Israel soon shall cease to exist.

Rice visited Israel for discussions about the Arab-Israeli tensions, though White House aides acknowledged for the first time that a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians is unlikely before President Bush leaves office in January.

In separate meetings, Rice spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who urged U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to hold off on his willingness to negotiate with Iranian leaders, saying such talks could project weakness.

Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad sent a letter to Obama, congratulating the president-elect on his victory at the polls. But Obama was cautious when asked about the letter.