Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran is trying to provoke a war between Israel and Syria.

Netanyahu says Iran is trying to convince Syria that an Israeli attack is imminent, which he says is a "lie."

Tensions have been high recently between Israel and Syria. The sides have traded threats, and last week Israel accused Syria of smuggling powerful rockets to the Lebanese guerillas of Hezbollah. Syria denied the charge.

Speaking in an interview Thursday with Israel's Channel 2 TV, Netanyahu repeated the charge that Syria and Iran are arming Hezbollah.

The Israeli leader also called on the U.S. to impose sanctions to block Iran's nuclear program.