Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak headed for Washington on Monday, February 27 his office said, for talks with U.S. officials expected to focus on the nuclear standoff with Iran.

During his two-day visit, Barak is scheduled to meet Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, Vice President Joe Biden, and National Security Adviser Tom Donilon - who was in Israel last week, M&C reported, citing DPA.

The visit comes a week before scheduled talks at the White House between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Sunday told his cabinet that Iran would top the agenda.

Media reports that Israeli leaders believe time was running out to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb with sanctions alone have raised fears in the United States that its key Middle Eastern ally would launch preemptive airstrikes.

Israel has welcomed US and European sanctions against Iran but its leaders, including Barak, have said that all options remain on the table.

Barak has denied a rift exists between Israel and the United States on how to deal with Iran, which says its nuclear programme is peaceful.