The United States might sell advanced stealth F-22 fighter jets to Israel if its security were in jeopardy, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported on Friday.

Visiting former U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen made the remarks to the post on Thursday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

"There is no stronger relationship than with Israel. There could be circumstances that level of technology would be released to Israelis," Cohen said.

The Israel Air Force has requested the Israeli Defense Ministry to present the interest of buying F-22s, a U.S.-developed fifth generation stealth fighter jet, from the Pentagon, according to a report published on The Jerusalem Post last week.

Israeli defense officials hoped to receive the jet in order to retain its military edge in the region in face of American plans to sell smart bombs to Saudi Arabia.

The F-22 has been forbidden for export by the Pentagon and the U.S. government would be hesitant to release classified technology like the F-22 to Israel, the report said.

However, "if it came to a question of Israeli security, I am confident they will come to help," Cohen said.

Cohen, who served as defense chief under President Bill Clinton from 1996 to 2000, currently heads the Cohen Group, which provides business consulting services and advice on tactical and strategic opportunities around the globe.

Cohen also held discussions with Israeli officials on the looming Iranian nuclear threat and other regional issues after he arrived in Israel on Wednesday evening.

Source: Xinhua