JERUSALEM: Israel's defense minister says Iran’s preliminary agreement to open its nuclear facilities to UN inspectors doesn't rule out a possible Israeli military strike.

Ehud Barak said on Wednesday that he’s skeptical about the deal, which he calls an Iranian ploy to fend off international pressure to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

But Barak told Army Radio that buying time is a problem for Israel.

He says that a “nuclear Iran is intolerable and no options should be taken off the table.” The phrase is Israel’s oblique reference to the use of force.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Israel, like the West, suspects Iran is developing a nuclear bomb.

Iran and six world powers are to meet in Baghdad later Wednesday for another round of nuclear talks.