The United States is the main international backer of Israel, Iran's biggest regional foe. It is also a close ally of Sunni Gulf monarchies which for years pursued their own rivalry with the Islamic Republic, seeing it as their main regional threat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to prevent Tehran, “one way or the other,” from building a nuclear bomb.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States remains committed to resolving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy, but added that the Islamic Republic must first give up hopes of building a nuclear weapon.

The U.S. and Iran will meet in Oman for a sixth round of negotiations aimed at curbing Tehran’s accelerating nuclear activities.

The IAEA is expected to vote on a draft resolution stating that Iran has not provided answers and is violating commitments regarding the nuclear agreement.

The United States has pulled some diplomatic staff and military families out of the Middle East, citing unspecified regional security risks.

Between enrichment disputes and demands for sanctions relief, Tehran is expected to send Washington a counter offer to its nuclear proposal