JERUSALEM, Israel (AP) — Just days after the first round of global nuclear talks with Iran, a rift appears to be emerging between Israel and its closest ally, the United States.

Israel’s prime minister yesterday called on the US to step up the pressure on Iran, even as American officials hinted at the possibility of easing tough economic pressure. Meanwhile, a leading Israeli daily reported the outlines of what could be construed in the West as genuine Iranian compromises in the talks.

The differing approaches could bode poorly for Israel as the talks between six global powers and Iran gain steam in the coming months. Negotiators were upbeat following last week’s talks, and the next round of negotiations is set to begin November 7.

Convinced Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the Iranians are trying to trick the West into easing economic sanctions while still pushing forward with their nuclear programme. Iran insists its programme is for peaceful purposes.

“I think that in this situation as long as we do not see actions instead of words, the international pressure must continue to be applied and even increased,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet.

Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran a threat to its very survival, citing Iranian references to Israel’s destruction.

Despite Netanyahu’s warnings, there are growing signs that any international deal with Iran will fall short of his demands.

Over the weekend, US officials said the White House was debating whether to offer Iran the chance to recoup billions of dollars in frozen assets if it scales back its nuclear programme.

In an interview broadcast Sunday on NBC, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said it was “premature” to talk of easing sanctions. But he stopped short of endorsing the tough Israeli line and suggested the US would take a more incremental approach in response to concrete Iranian gestures.

Details from last week’s talks in Geneva, have remained tightly guarded, but short-range priorities have been made clear. The US and allies seek to roll back Iran’s highest-level uranium enrichment. Iran wants the West to start easing sanctions.

The Yediot Ahronot daily newspaper said an “explosion” between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama appears to be inevitable. While Israeli officials are intrigued by the Iranian offer, it said “officials in the prime minister’s inner circle harbour a deep concern… that the American president is going to be prepared to ease sanctions on Iran even before the talks have been completed”.