Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel was "very far off" from a decision about an attack on Iran over its nuclear program. These statements came ahead of a planned visit this week by U.S. armed forces chief General Martin Dempsey which has triggered speculation of Washington pressing Israel to delay any action against Tehran's nuclear program. When pressed as to whether "very far off" meant weeks or months, Barak said that it was certainly not urgent. Dempsey will be arriving on his first visit here since being appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September. He will meet with various senior defense officials, including Barak and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.