Kerry to Visit Israel to Reassure Netanyahu over Iran Deal

US Secretary of State John Kerry is to visit Israel this week to reassure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as western powers continue to inch towards a nuclear deal with Iran.

Kerry will meet Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.

"We [French President Francois Holland and I] will discuss [Iran] at the head of the many issues on the agenda. I will do the same with President Putin in my visit to Moscow on Wednesday (20 November) and I will do the same with John Kerry, who is coming here on Friday," said Netanyahu.

The Israeli leader has criticised the US for refusing to adopt a hard line on Iran.

Kerry will visit Israel when the P5+1 powers (Britain, France, China, Russia, Germany and the US) hold fresh talks with Iran on Wednesday. The previous round of talks in Geneva failed to achieve a breakthrough, but delegates from both sides said that a deal was still possible.

During his Israeli tour, Kerry will be on standby to fly to Geneva to sign the final agreement with Iran, if the talks yield a positive outcome.