Iran vowed to increase its output of enriched uranium in defiance of US demands ahead of a round of nuclear talks overshadowed by fears of an Israeli attack.

US President Donald Trump called Thursday on Israel not to attack Iran, saying a deal on its nuclear program remained close, but Tehran defiantly vowed to increase its output of enriched uranium ahead of new talks.

The United States has pulled some diplomatic staff and military families out of the Middle East, citing unspecified regional security risks.

Iran, amid US domestic turmoil and new sanctions, is prioritizing ties with Europe, Egypt, and Arab states, while leveraging nuclear talks and intelligence to pressure the US and isolate Israel.

This is called the safeguards obligation and is part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran is legally bound to declare all nuclear materials and activities and allow IAEA inspectors to verify that none have been diverted for non-peaceful uses.

US president says he is becoming less confident Tehran will agree to halt uranium enrichment as demanded by Washington

The sixth round of Iran-US nuclear talks is planned for Sunday, Tehran said as the two sides appear locked in a standoff over uranium enrichment nearly two months into the high-stakes negotiations.

Trump, who has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions on Iran since taking office in January, has repeatedly said it will not be allowed any uranium enrichment under a potential deal. On Tuesday, Iran’s top negotiator, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, said the country “will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium”.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected a US proposal on Iran’s nuclear program that demands giving up uranium enrichment, saying it is a crucial part of the country's nuclear program.

The United States has pulled some diplomatic staff and military families out of the Middle East, citing unspecified regional security risks.