Israel is trying to block the illegal flow of Iranian pistachio to its markets as a desperate move against Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

Washington has warned that the import of pistachio from Iran to Israel will hurt efforts to put pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program, Reuters reported.

Israel has asked for US help in cracking down on illegal pistachio nut imports from Iran, an official said on Wednesday.

Israel imports pistachios worth 100 million shekels ($26 million) annually, mostly from Turkey.

The US Under-Secretary of Agriculture Mark Keenum has urged the Israeli Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon this week to combat the problem. Simhon agreed, but asked for guidance on how Israel might proceed.

"We will immediately do anything the US suggests, any idea of cooperation for preventing pistachio imports from Iran." he said.

MGH/RA