U.S. President Barack Obama will not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the Israeli leader visits New York this month to urge thatthe U.N. take tougher action against Iran's nuclear program.
The White House says the two leaders discussed Iran's nuclear program duringan hour-long telephone call Tuesday night, and are united in keeping Iranfrom obtaining a nuclear weapon.
But a White House statement says there has been no request for Mr. Netanyahu to meet with Mr. Obama in Washington.
A White House official told VOA earlier that Mr. Obama's decision should not be interpreted as a refusal to meet the Israeli prime minister.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the two leaders are scheduled to be in New York later this month, but not at the same time.