'Iran will have concluded the Biden team is not first-rate and wants to avoid confrontations,' said former US diplomat.

Trump is promoting a series of sanctions that would make it difficult for Biden to return to the nuclear deal with Iran.

Once again, a senior US official has demonstrated an inexplicable desire to pressure Israel into making further concessions to the Palestinians - a dangerous move that has only proven to distance peace, not facilitate it.

The release of Jonathan Pollard in exchange for terrorists is being considered in a bid to save the Israeli-PA peace talks, reports indicate.