Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon held talks in Jerusalem on Thursday, July 12, focusing on Iran’s “quest to develop nuclear weapons,” the Israeli foreign ministry said, Agence France Presse reported. They discussed “Iran’s continued quest to develop nuclear weapons, which the United States and Israel are both determined to prevent, the destabilizing role which it plays in the region and its promotion of international terrorism,” according to a statement. The meeting was part of the semi-annual Strategic Dialogue between Israel and the United States. The two delegations also agreed that the ongoing bloodshed in Syria, “assisted by Iran and Hizballah, is a source of major humanitarian concern" and “could also lead to severe consequences for the entire region.” The dialogue “highlights the strong alliance and deep ties” between the two countries, the statement said.