US no longer updating Israel on nuclear talks — report

The US has stopped updating Israel on progress in talks with Iran over their nuclear program, Israel’s Channel 2 news reports.

The channel says Susan Rice has cut off contact with Israeli National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen on the talks, and quotes Wendy Sherman as saying that she will no longer keep Israel informed of the talks.

The channel said the US had accused Israel of using the information for political purposes.

The move come as tensions between Washington and Jerusalem have skyrocketed over a planned speech by Netanyahu in Congress next month in which he will speak about sanctions on Tehran, against the Obama administration’s wishes.

Israel has staunchly lobbied against a deal that leaves Iran with the ability to enrich uranium, even as Washington and Tehran have apparently moved closer to an agreement before a talks deadline at the end of March.