The White House said Monday it was aware that Iran had recently carried out a missile test, but refrained from offering details or criticism.

"We are aware that Iran fired that missile. We are looking into the exact nature of it," said White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Earlier, Fox News -- citing unnamed US officials -- reported that Tehran had carried out a ballistic missile test on Sunday.

Such a test could be in violation of UN resolutions and could pave the way for sanctions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also publicly confirmed the test and said the launching of a ballistic missile constitutes a "flagrant violation" of UN rules.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he intended to "raise the renewal of sanctions against Iran in this context and in other contexts" in his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump on February 15.

Both Trump and Netanyahu have strongly opposed a nuclear deal with Iran that saw Tehran curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

Any new sanctions would severely test the durability of the accord.

Netanyahu denounces Iran missile test ahead of Trump meeting
Jerusalem (AFP) Jan 30, 2017 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Monday of launching a ballistic missile in what he said constitutes a "flagrant violation" of a UN Security Council resolution.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he intended to "raise the renewal of sanctions against Iran in this context and in other contexts" in his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The White House said on Monday that Trump will host Netanyahu on February 15.

Israel's archfoe Iran has carried out a number of missile tests in recent months, which the United States and European governments have said are a breach of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal.

Western powers say the missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and therefore go against the deal, while Iran says its missile programme is "non-negotiable".

Israel had opposed the deal between Iran and major powers, which lifted a wide range of international sanctions in exchange for limits on Iran's nuclear programme.

"Iranian aggression must not go unanswered," Netanyahu wrote on Monday.