President Bush refused to allow Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities earlier this year.

That's according to a report in the British newspaper The Guardian.

The paper quotes European sources who say the refusal came last May in a highly sensitive one-on-one meeting between President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The President was reportedly concerned that Iran would retaliate against the U.S. and that a single assault on Iran's nuclear targets might not succeed.

Olmert is said to believe Mr. Bush's decision won't change before he leaves office in January.

Several Israeli leaders have suggested publicly that Israel might have to take military action to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

Source: CBN News, The Guardian