The White House said on Friday that President Barack Obama is sending his top advisor Tom Donilon to Israel at a time when speculation is rife about an imminent Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

The president's National Security Advisor Tom Donilon will travel to Israel on February 18-20 for consultations with senior Israeli officials about a range of issues, including Iran, Syria and other regional security issues, the White House said in a statement.

It called the trip the latest in a series of regular and high- level consultations between the two countries, "consistent with our strong bilateral partnership, and part of our unshakable commitment to Israel's security."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called Iran "the most irresponsible" country in the world, saying sanctions against Tehran over its controversial nuclear program " haven't worked."

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was quoted as saying early this month that Israel could attack Iran as soon as this spring.

Israel also accused Iran of being behind the recent attacks on its embassy personnel in India, Georgia and Thailand.