Defense Secretary Benny Gantz took off for the United States, where he will meet with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State. A senior US official told Reuters news agency said senior officials were expected to discuss military exercises ahead of the "worst" option of destroying Iran's nuclear facilities - if diplomacy fails

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz are expected to discuss military exercises that will prepare for the "worst" possibility of destroying Iran's nuclear facilities, if diplomacy fails, a senior U.S. official told Reuters tonight (Thursday).

Ganz flew during the night to visit the United States, where he will meet with Austin and the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. Prior to the flight, Ganz said he and U.S. officials would discuss "possible courses of action to ensure the cessation of its attempt to reach nuclear space and thus expand its operations in the region."

The planned talks coincide with the nuclear talks in Vienna, and after the US envoy to Iran on October 25, Rob Mali said in a briefing to reporters that the Biden administration was discussing with its allies steps that could be taken against Iran if it continued to withdraw and not return to the negotiating table. 

Officials in the United States and Europe expressed displeasure after the talks in Vienna last week, in which Iran's tough new government presented sweeping demands, raising fears of the powers that Iran is trying to gain time while continuing to advance its nuclear program. "Iran's nuclear program is advancing to a point beyond any conventional rationale," the U.S. official said, but stressed that he was still optimistic about the talks, which are expected to continue today, after the last round ended last week with no real progress.