Israel's Defense Minister said his country cannot depend on the United States to lead an action against Iran's nuclear program and that Israel can only rely on itself, according to the Associated Press.

Moshe Yaalon said Israel believed "the one who should lead the campaign against Iran is the U.S" but instead, Washington began talks with Tehran.

He stated Iran has the upper hand in the talks and that "we (Israelis) have to look out for ourselves."

The AP said Yaalon's office confirmed his remarks, which were published in the Israeli daily Haaretz on Tuesday, March 18, but refused to comment whether the defense minister was advocating an Israeli strike on Iran.

Yaalon spoke as world powers and Iran are to start a new round of talks over Iran's contested nuclear program in Vienna. Iran denies it seeks nuclear weapons.