OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel cannot rely on the U.S. to act against Iran's suspect nuclear program.

In an interview published Friday, Netanyahu hinted Israel may have to strike Iran even without U.S. support to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.

The comments indicate Netanyahu is not backing down from his thinly-veiled criticism of the Obama administration, despite a phone call from the U.S. president this week that was meant to smooth over their differences.

In the interview in Israel Hayom, a daily that is a staunch backer of the premier, Netanyahu says he has heard those "who say we should wait until the last minute."

Then, he asks: "But what if the U.S. doesn't act?"

Iran denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb.