Israel announced plans on Tuesday to build a new nuclear reactor to reduce the country's dependence on imported hydrocarbons, raising the specter of increased international scrutiny of Israel's nuclear program.

Israel already has two nuclear reactors - one in the Negev desert and another at Nahal Soreq near Tel Aviv - and is suspected of possessing nuclear weapons. The country maintains a policy of "nuclear ambiguity," neither confirming nor denying the suspicions.

"The construction of a nuclear reactor intended to generate electricity would allow Israel to assure [its] energy independence from foreign suppliers of hydrocarbon raw material," Israeli infrastructure minister Uzi Landau was quoted by his ministry's press service as saying during the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy in Paris.

The announcement raises the risk for Israel that it will draw the attention of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has already been concerned by Iran's controversial nuclear program.

The Israeli minister said the country would keep to strict safety standards while constructing and operating the plant.

Israel has not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty intended to limit the number of countries that develop nuclear weapons.

The country has reportedly discussed the possibility of cooperating on the project with France and Jordan.