Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday tried to soothe the public's fears about Iran's nuclear program, saying in a radio interview that Tehran has exaggerated its progress.

Olmert also said he is confident that international diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program are working.

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"Iran is far from crossing the technological threshold," he told Israel Radio. "Unfortunately, it is not as far as I would like it to be, but it is also not as close as it proclaims to be. I believe the international efforts will achieve their goals. There is no need to get caught up in any apocalyptic prophecies that have no basis in reality."

In the interview, he said there was still time for international diplomatic efforts to work, echoing the assessment of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who visited the region last week.

Olmert also politely turned down an offer by Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, to serve as a go-between Israel and the Palestinians.

Olmert said he preferred to maintain direct contacts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and not depend on an intermediary. "We don't need someone to come from afar in order for me and Abu Mazen to meet," he said, referring to Abbas.

Musharraf made the surprise offer Friday in an interview with the Arab satellite station Al-Arabiya. He told the Dubai-based station that he would even be willing to visit Israel to help bring peace to the Middle East.