Obama assures Israel US entering into negotiations with Iran 'clear-eyed'

President Barack Obama has assured his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States remains 'clear-eyed' going into direct talks with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Obama said that Iran's surprisingly soothing words about its nuclear programme must be matched with concrete actions.

Obama told Netanyahu at the Oval Office that it is absolutely clear that words are not sufficient, adding that they were taking no options off the table, including military options.

According to the New York Daily News, the sit-down between Obama and Netanyahu came three days after Obama's history-making phone call with Iran's moderate President, Hassan Rouhani.

The communication between the two leaders was the first direct contact in 34 years between the two countries.

Netanyahu urged Obama to keep sanctions against Iran in place. He also said that only continued pressure by the U.S. and other Western powers would convince Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.