Israel denies jets can fly over Saudi

JERUSALEM, July 6 (UPI) -- Israel labeled as false a British newspaper report claiming air force jets en route to attack Iran's nuclear sites can enter Saudi Arabia's airspace.

A statement issued by the Israeli prime minister's office Sunday denied The Sunday Times report calling it "baseless and fundamentally false."

The Times quoted diplomatic sources as saying, "The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia." The report said the issue had been raised in a meeting between Mossad head Meir Dagan and Saudi officials.

The paper said John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, recently told several Arab leaders it was "entirely logical" for Israel to use Saudi airspace. Bolton reportedly said in the event such a raid took place, Arab leaders would condemn it at the United Nations, but would be relieved to see the removal of the Iranian nuclear threat.

The report comes amidst mounting speculation in foreign and local media of a possible Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites.