U.S. concern over Israel's plan to move ahead with new settlements and Israel's skepticism over Washington's nuclear diplomacy policy with Iran dominated the White House talks held Wednesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu urged Obama to ensure that the final nuclear deal with Iran must not give it room for the development of nuclear weapons.

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Meanwhile, the U.S. president denounced the civilian casualties during the 50-day military offensive in Gaza in which 2,100 Palestinians, majority of them civilians, died.

It is the first time the allies met since the summer assault against the Islamic militant group, Hamas, in Gaza.

Both leaders spoke to reporters before meeting at the Oval Office over issues that have raised tensions between countries in recent weeks.

Beyond the civilian casualties that have reportedly angered the U.S., the White House publicly rebuked Israel for moving ahead with the 2,600 new settlements to be raised in its annexed territory in east Jerusalem.

In a statement, White House spokesman Josh Earnest expressed Washington's concern over the project, citing that it would draw international condemnation.

The move will also undermine Israel's commitment to peaceful relations with Palestine and adjoining Arab governments, Reuters reported.

Emphasizing Obama's leadership in securing a nuclear deal with Iran, the Israeli leader expressed disappointment with how international negotiations are moving toward lifting the sanctions against Iran, a country that promises to wipe Israel off the map.

Netanyahu has long insisted that Iran must be completely stripped off of its nuclear capabilities. Obama, meanwhile, is open to Iran keeping a limited stock of enriched uranium for civil purposes, Reuters reported.

Israel has insisted its right to take military offensive against Tehran's nuclear program if the November 24 deadline is not met.

PM Netanyahu has expressed support for the U.S.-led offensive against the Islamic State that has established territories in Iraq and Syria, but said Iran's nuclear program poses a more imminent threat, AFP reported.

Tagspolitics, Iran-United States relations, Iran, Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama