Speaking to public radio as crunch talks on Iran's nuclear programme continued in Switzerland, Steinitz said Israel would seek to counter any threat through diplomacy and intelligence but "if we have no choice we have no choice... The military option is on the table."
Asked about possible US objections to Israeli military action, Steinitz pointed to Israel's unilateral attack against the Osirak nuclear reactor in Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1981.
"This operation was not carried out in agreement with the United States," he said.
"The prime minister has said clearly that Israel will not allow Iran to become a nuclear power," Steinitz said.