Photo: White House

The White House announced that President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke over the phone on Thursday, to discuss “recent Iran-related developments”.

Tensions are high following Wednesdays assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran, and this phone call comes amid accusations that either Israel and or the United States was involved in carrying out the operation.

Following a firm denial from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, White House spokesman Jay Carney re-iterated those statements, while ensuring the public that the U.S. does not speak on behalf of anyone else.

“Obviously we don’t speak for any other country, and we had nothing to do with it. This has been expressed by officials at a variety of levels of the U.S. government. And we condemn the violence in Iran,” Carney said

“We’re not speaking for any other country when we make statements like that.”

The White House did not confirm if the specific issue of Wednesday’s killing was discussed, but Israeli television station “Channel 2” quotes a source within “Netanyahu’s bureau”, claiming Obama asked for an explanation regarding Israel’s involvement.

This follows a statement by Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz to a parliamentary committee that 2012 would be an interesting one for Iran, party due to “things that happen to it unnaturally,” according to the Associated Press.