Recent public chatter over a possible Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities is risky talk, a former Mossad spy chief said on Sunday.

"Everybody in Israel agrees that a nuclear Iran is the worst outcome for us," Danny Yatom told Army radio on Sunday.

"However, this debate shouldn't be carried out in a public forums but rather should be discussed in a more effective manner," he said.

In recent weeks, both government figures as well as military and intelligence agencies' former and current chiefs, and analysts voiced conflicting opinions about a possible attack on Iran in the near future.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have voiced what they view as Israel's right to protect itself against Iranian ambitions - with or without the approval or assistance of its closest ally, the United States.

At the same time, however, several local current and former military and intelligence officials voiced their objection to such an attack without U.S. support.

In addition, several senior U.S. diplomatic and security officials visited Israel in recent weeks, reportedly in part to try to dissuade Israel from mounting an attack before the American presidential elections in November.

Last week, claims surfaced that some military officials are afraid of attacking Iran due to fears of being held responsible over the possible failure of such a complex strike.