Tzipi and Levey, the undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, will discuss a push for more international sanctions on Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said.

"Israel supports a hardening of sanctions already imposed" on the Islamic republic, Regev said. "Diplomacy must be firm and speak with one voice in order to succeed.

"The Tehran regime must understand that business as usual cannot continue while it is pursuing its nuclear programme."

The UN Security Council has slapped two sets of sanctions on Iran over its atomic drive and is expected to press a third if Tehran does not meet international demands to halt uranium enrichment, a key part of the nuclear process.

The West and Israel fears Iran is seeking to develop atomic weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme. Tehran says its programme is peaceful and has repeatedly refused to yield to the pressure.

Israel -- widely considered the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear power -- considers Iran its arch-enemy following repeated remarks by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the Jewish state to be wiped off the map.

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