Obama, Netanyahu look to mend relations

US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were expected to seek to mend their fractured relationship during their meeting at the White House on Monday, the first time they have talked face to face in more than a year.

Tensions over the US-backed nuclear deal with Iran continue to strain ties between the longtime allies. But there's also little hope of progress on other matters, with US officials downplaying the chance of a breakthrough in ongoing security talks and ruling out the prospect of a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians before Obama leaves office in 14 months.

"The president has reached the conclusion that right now - barring a major shift - that the parties are not going to be in a position to negotiate a final status agreement," White House Middle East adviser Rob Malley said.