US secretary of state John Kerry said on Monday that Iran had backed out of the Geneva deal which he assured would help protect Israel "more effectively."
"Our hope is that in the next months we can find an agreement that meets everyone's standards," said Kerry, echoing an announcement by France that world powers were close to a long-awaited deal with Iran on its disputed nuclear programme.
"The P5+1 was unified on Saturday when we presented our proposal to the Iranians... But Iran couldn't take it, at that particular moment they weren't able to accept," said Kerry.
In the remarks he made to reporters during a visit to the United Arab Emirates capital, Kerry reassured Israel that the deal will better protect it.
"What we are doing will protect Israel more effectively," he said as the United States and Israel were locked in an escalating war of words over the negotiations.