JERUSALEM, July 27: Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak is to travel to the United States on Monday for talks with senior officials expected to focus on Iran.

Public radio said the talks are expected to focus on the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme, which Israel views as a major strategic threat, and on preserving the “qualitative advantage” of the Jewish state’s armed forces.

A defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the agenda of the talks, but said Barak planned to meet Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, senior military officials and members of Congress. Barak is also expected to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, he said.

In an interview with public radio Amos Gilad, a senior adviser to Barak, said the defence minister would “discuss the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear programme.” —AFP