Israel and the United States have agreed to postpone a major military defence exercise scheduled for spring, a senior security official said Sunday, amid rising regional tension over Iran’s nuclear programme.

“Israel and the United States have agreed to postpone the manoeuvre planned for spring,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

“The exercises will take place between now and the end of 2012,” the official added, without elaborating.

Army radio, citing a defence official, said it was being postponed to avoid “unnecessary headlines in such a tense period.”

The joint manoeuvre was to have been the biggest yet between the two allies, and was seen as an opportunity to display their joint military strength at a time of growing concern about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.