JERUSALEM — An Israeli official says the country's prime minister has told his Cabinet to quit the "chitchat" about Iran.

Israeli political and military leaders have been increasingly candid recently on the subject of Israeli action against the Iranian nuclear program.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has concluded that an Israeli attack on Iran is likely in the coming months.

Israel considers Iran to be its most dangerous enemy and has vowed to prevent it from going nuclear.

The official said Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet to keep quiet, saying the talk was harming Israeli interests.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing a closed meeting.

Netanyahu himself has often commented about keeping all options on the table in dealing with Iran.