JERUSALEM — Israel's military chief of staff says he has ordered his forces to step up covert operations in enemy countries.

Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz made the remarks Sunday in an interview published in Israel's Yediot Ahronot daily.

"You almost won't find a point in time where something isn't happening somewhere in the world," he said. "I am escalating all those special operations."

Gantz did not identify any of the countries or give any further details.

He said 2012 is a critical year in the standoff between Israel and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program.

Israel and much of the West believe Iran is close to nuclear weapons capability. Israel has hinted it may strike Iran if diplomacy and sanctions fail to halt its nuclear program.