Trump spoke to Netanyahu over Iran deal, DC shooting

US President Donald Trump had a "productive discussion" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about Iran and the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, the White House said.

Trump and Netanyahu have appeared increasingly at odds over Iran's nuclear program, with Washington pursuing talks with Tehran for a deal while Israel appears focused on a military option.

"They discussed many things, including, of course, the tragic shooting that took place here in Washington, DC, last night," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing.

The two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead at a Jewish museum in the US capital by a gunman who shouted "free Palestine" as he was arrested, sparking new international tensions over anti-Semitism.

"But they also did talk about a potential deal with Iran, which the president believes is moving along in the right direction," added Leavitt.

Iran and the United States are due to hold a fresh round of talks in Rome later this week.

Leavitt said Trump believed that "this deal with Iran could end in two ways. It could end in a very positive diplomatic solution, or it could end in a very negative situation for Iran."