Despite the close ties between the United States and Israel, US President Donald Trump reportedly did not hesitate to issue a stern warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop or delay a planned airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Trump insisted that such action was "not appropriate at this time" as Washington was on the verge of reaching a landmark deal with Tehran.
Tensions have escalated as Iran has publicly expressed the possibility of agreeing to a nuclear deal with the US — a development that has put Trump under increasing pressure to dissuade its ally from rushing to strike.
Behind the scenes, talks in Oman and Italy are now underway.
Iran has offered to freeze uranium enrichment activities for a year, provided the US releases frozen Iranian funds and recognizes the country's right to pursue a civilian nuclear program.
What is at stake?
If successfully concluded, the deal has the potential to prevent another major war in the Middle East. On the other hand, failure to reach an agreement could push the region ever closer to the brink of conflict.
The ongoing talks show “a willingness to reach an agreement,” according to the UN nuclear watchdog, but so far no final decision has been made.
Diplomacy is now being tested. Will it prevail, or is time running out before a crisis erupts?
