Leader of Israel's largest opposition party Shaul Mofaz warned Saturday that a preemptive unilateral Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities could have "catastrophic" consequences for Israel, local media reported.

Such an attack would not greatly hinder Iran's ability to create a nuclear weapon, but is very likely to lead to war, Mofaz warned.

The opposition leader made the warning in an interview with Israel's Hebrew-language television Channel 2.

Israel and some Western nations have long suspected Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, with Israeli leaders repeatedly warning of a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran denies the accusations and insists that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.