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JERUSALEM — Israel's deputy premier said Monday that Israel's air force has improved its capabilities and is better prepared for a war with Iran, considered a dangerous enemy because of its nuclear program.

Moshe Yaalon, a former military chief, says the air force now has better refueling and range, and has made "a massive improvement in the accuracy of ordnance and intelligence."

He told an air power conference Monday that the same sort of airstrikes Israel has used against terrorists along its borders also "can be used ... for war against the conventional Syrian army, and also for war on a peripheral state like Iran."

Yaalon serves as a Cabinet minister for strategic affairs as well as deputy premier. As a lieutenant-general, he served as chief of staff of the Israeli military from 2002-2005.

Israel considers Iran a serious threat because of its nuclear program, missiles and references by its leaders to Israel's destruction. Israel also views Iran as a threat because of its continued material support to Hezbollah and Hamas militants who have struck Israel.

Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful, but Israel insists Iran is building weapons. Israel says it prefers diplomacy but has not ruled out a military strike on Iran.

In past years, Israel has launched a limited number of pre-emptive attacks against strategic military targets, including a strike on Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981.

Yaalon's comments came as diplomats... >>>