THERE are growing fears that Israel's increasing isolation in the region has led it to consider a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, prompting a flurry of diplomatic activity and a public warning against any unilateral action from a former Mossad chief.

This week's visit by US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta is seen by some as a sign that America is deeply concerned Israel could abandon the international sanctions regime against Iran and ''go it alone''.

Young Israelis hold the national flag in support of Jewish settlements in the Israeli occupied Palestinian West Bank. Credit:AFP

Much has been made in the Israeli press of the fact Mr Panetta held his second meeting in two weeks with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, where he stressed any action against Iran's nuclear program must be co-ordinated with the international community.

As Israel took an increasingly hard line on Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that Iran's nuclear program posed a real threat to Israel and the rest of the world, former Mossad chief Meir Dagan talked down the progress Iran had made on developing its nuclear program.