Israel's leader says President Barack Obama understands that Israel has the right to defend itself from an Iranian nuclear threat.

Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH'-hoo) made this observation Monday after meeting with Obama for talks the Israeli leader said were dominated by the Iranian nuclear program.

He said Obama "understood Israel's position" that it has the right to self-defense.

Netanyahu has articulated this position several times in the past few days, suggesting Israel has not backed off from threats to attack Iran if it doesn't halt suspect elements of its nuclear program.

The U.S. is worried that any imminent Israeli attack would be premature.

Israeli officials have said no decision has been made to strike.

Israel and the U.S. do not believe Tehran's claims that its nuclear program is peaceful.