The White House has denied reports that President Obama refuses to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

Israel's Haaretz newspaper reports that Netanyahu asked to meet with Obama in New York later this month after the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.

The White House allegedly said the president was too busy and that he could not meet with Netanyahu in New York because the pair would not be in the city on the same day.

Administration officials said such claims are untrue.

"Contrary to reports in the press, there was never a request for Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama in Washington, nor was a request for a meeting ever denied," the White House said in a statement. 

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has criticized Washington's refusal to give details of what would provoke a U.S.-led military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.
    
He said giving Iran deadlines to abandon its nuclear program is counterproductive.

"The world tells Israel 'Wait, there is still time,' and I say, 'Wait for what? Wait until when?" the prime minister said. 

"Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," Netanyahu charged.

Netanyahu added that peaceful methods are not working, and Iran is getting closer to acquiring a nuclear bomb.

His comments have generated more speculation Israel is planning an attack of its own.