US panel to plan Iran attack: report

New York: A Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bomb attack on Iran's nuclear sites, The New Yorker magazine reported in its latest issue.

Any attack could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from US President George W. Bush, the report said, citing a former US intelligence official.

Pentagon officials say they maintain contingency plans for dozens of potential conflicts around the world and that all plans are subject to regular and ongoing review.

Responding to the report, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman reiterated Washington's insistence that it has no plans to go to war with Iran.

"The United States is not planning to go to war with Iran. To suggest anything to the contrary is simply wrong, misleading and mischievous," Whitman said.

The report also said that the Bush administration received intelligence from Israel that Iran had developed an intercontinental missile capable of reaching Europe.

Israel is reportedly in talks with Pentagon to use Iraqi airspace as part of plans to attack Iranian nuclear sites, British media said. Israel's deputy defence minister has denied this.