Citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, the newspaper said Netanyahu was working to win a majority in favour of a strike against Iran, but there is currently "a small advantage" in the cabinet for those opposed to an attack.
The report said Netanyahu had scored a significant win by convincing his foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman to throw his support behind a strike, intended to destroy nascent Iranian nuclear capabilities.
But other ministers reportedly remain firmly opposed, with many preferring that any action against Iran be carried out by the United States instead.
The Haaretz report came after days of renewed speculation about Israel's plans for an attack on Iran.
On Monday, Barak denied media reports that he and Netanyahu had already decided to launch an attack against Iran over the opposition of military and intelligence chiefs.
Among those still opposed to an attack, Haaretz said, are interior minister Eli Yishai of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, intelligence minister Dan Meridor, strategic affairs minister and Netanyahu confidant Moshe Yaalon, and finance minister Yuval Steinitz.
Haaretz said a report on Iran's nuclear capacity expected to be published by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday next week would have a "decisive effect" on any decision to attack Iran.
The newspaper also cited Western experts as saying any attack on Iran during the winter would be almost impossible because of thick cloud cover, raising questions about when any military action might be launched.
Israel has consistently warned all options remain on the table when it comes to Iran's nuclear programme, which the Jewish state and much of the international community believe masks a drive for nuclear weapons.
Iran denies those charges and says its nuclear programme is for civilian energy purposes only.
COMMENTS (19)
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The Iranians will get what they deserve. That is it
Words have consequences - Ahmadinejad's ranting about annihilating Israel at the same time it being caught lying to the UN on it's nuclear program is a recipe guaranteed to increase fear in the Israelis. Fear often overrides rational thinking so my guess is that all bets are off when it comes to Iran.
Nothing will happen to Israel from other International Community members. This will give Israel a chance to flex it's muscle as a serious power in the region with global influence.
And does Israel makes crackers in her never talked about nuclear facilities? Obviously they have built up a fearsome stockpile of nuclear weapons!The willful collective silence of the free press over this deadly reality is indeed queer. An attack by America and Israel on Iran will give all the weak nations, especially Muslim countries a great incentive to go full throtle with developing nuclear arms and delivery systems, which might be the beginning to the end of the human race as we know it. Saner world powers like China and Russia should help to put an end to the madness being debated by Irsael and America and work together to garner a two state solution to the long festering Palestine problem.Let us desist from annilating ourselves.
Israel, you are the holy land. Why are you using the military power to kill innocent people?You are the number one terrorist in the world,becouse you attacked aid ship bound to Gaza in international waters and no body punish.Israel and US.partners when it comes to violate international law.Do not continue the settlements on the land that do not belong to you
Man proposes Nature disposes. Humans will be here after apocalypse! Let it start now. My question is this: Has the initiator always been the victor? Can we just stay in absolute peace please but not the peace of the grave yard! DANKE!
Israel is trying to divert its public attention from its domestic problems its facing due to economic problems. They are well aware that attacking Iran is not a walk in the park and could prove to be damagning to themselves.
lets see how does US reacts to this news.
Decision of offensive on part of Israel is nightmare for the globe. Forget once secured and fortified Israel if a shot is fired.
The Israeli plans to attack Iran are irresponsible and will be a declaration of another war in the region. The mere fact that Israel is contemplating an attack on Iran may be read as a declaration of war. Most countries in the world are presently accumulating all assortments of weapons at an alarming rate. The stockpiling of weapons means that all countries are sick and tired of being bullied. The Israel sabre rattling tactics will possibly lead to an arms race even in countries like India, Pakistani and Turkey. If Israeli carries out the attack on Iran, it will give other countries an opportunity to settle old scores. Iran has the backing of superpowers like Russia and China who will be happy to assist them. That's how the world war 3 will unfold. The use of nuclear arms will spell the end of existence of Israel. What will prevent Iran from manufacturing nuclear arms if Israel is allowed to do the same. Iran has the right to protect its borders from zionists attack by any means.
I am sure this is just some Pakistani conspiracy theory!
That would be catastrophic for Israel.
if israel does anything what been reported here, it would burn the whole middle east in hell, and will bring americans in another war, will eventually bring another world war... we are already doomed with financial crisis, with european debt crisis is at boiling point....please no more adventure..
when fly wanna die its get wings.
There would have been a global uproar had Iran decided to discuss an aggressive action against Israel for her nuclear programme.
Hope IAEA will come up with a sensible and accurate report on Tuesday.
israel is digging its own grave and dont care about even its own people. any war imposed on iran or Pakistan will lead towards world war 3. its seems to be spitting on moon.
Israel is digging its own garve. seems spitting on moon. any war imposed on iran or pakistan will lead to the world war 3.
If this happens, this time Israel will be on her own. Americans will not support Israeli actions, and a political nightmare for US presidential election.
I want to ask israeli ministers one question? ..What do you think of yourselves? ..Thinking Iran can be invaded with bully US backing itself is absurd and on top of it what happens to the retribution from world communities ? .Forget about China ,Russia who has nuclear weapons world power status and threaten you , think about the fox category enemies namely who has nuclear weapons which can be shipped from karachi to Iran and lauched towards tel aviv ? ..Offense is the best defence strategy can be played only if you have very few enemies or you are a super power ..For a size of Israel ,Keeping a defensive posture with advanced state of the art anti missile system with satellite support is the best strategy for survival in 21st century.