Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently urged the United States to establish what he called a "red line" regarding Tehran's nuclear program beyond which the United States would be compelled to act.

Iran insists its uranium-enrichment activities are for civilian energy-producing purposes, but the West fears it is for building nuclear weapons.

Israel is seen as pushing a much more hardline approach that would include military action, while Washington instead prefers to let diplomacy and sanctions dissuade Iran from building the bomb.

Obama, interviewed for Sunday's edition of "60 Minutes" on broadcaster CBS, said he understands and agrees with Netanyahu's insistence that Iran not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons as this would threaten both countries, the world in general, and kick off an arms race.

But Obama added: "When it comes to our national security decisions -- any pressure that I feel is simply to do what's right for the American people. And I am going to block out -- any noise that's out there."

Tensions have been running high between the United States and Israeli leader, and they will not hold a face-to-face meeting this week at the UN General Assembly in New York. The White House has cited scheduling problems.

Obama's contender for the presidency, Republican Mitt Romney, said this was no way to treat an ally.

The decision not to meet with Netanyahu, he said, also in an interview with "60 Minutes", "is a mistake and sends a message throughout the Middle East that somehow we distance ourselves from our friends and I think the exact opposite approach is what's necessary."

Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul argued that Obama's reference to Israel as "one of our closest allies in the region" was unacceptable.

"This is just the latest evidence of his chronic disregard for the security of our closest ally in the Middle East," she said. "Romney strongly believes that Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East and ...as president, Governor Romney will restore and protect the close alliance between our nation and the state of Israel."

"Experience has shown that important and key decisions are not made in the US leading up to national elections," Ahmadinejad said in an interview with the Washington Post newspaper.

He also said Iran was willing to make a deal on limiting its stockpile of enriched uranium but expressed doubt in the West's willingness to negotiate in good faith.

"We have always been ready and we are ready" to make a deal that will address Western concerns, he was quoted as saying, adding "We have given many sound proposals as well."

"Fundamentally, we have no concerns about moving forward with the dialogue, we have always wanted a dialogue. We have a very clear logic: We do believe that if everyone adheres to the rule of law and everyone respects all parties, that there will be no problems."

The United States and its European allies charge that Iran is working toward building a nuclear bomb but Tehran insists its atomic drive is for peaceful energy purposes.

There has been mounting speculation that Israel is planning a military strike on Iran's bunkered nuclear facilities, but Ahmadinejad said he agreed with what he called the "common consensus" that the Jewish state was bluffing.

The United States, Britain and France warned at the UN Security Council last week that time was running out for a negotiated solution, while the European Union is mulling further sanctions against Iran.

The so-called P5+1 -- permanent Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany, are due to hold talks in New York on Thursday on the Iran crisis.

But Ahmadinejad indicated he did not believe that Iran's nuclear program was the real concern of the West, suggesting it might be used as a tool to undermine the country's Islamic government.

"Do you really believe that this is the root of the issue?" he asked. "That we have some tonnage of three plus percent enriched uranium? So do you really believe that this is the only problem for those who are putting us under a lot of pressure?"

Ahmadinejad said the issue of fissile materials was being used "only a pretense or an excuse."

"What assurances or guarantees exist that if we go through this phase there won't be additional obstacles?" he asked.