Iran has long accused Israel of targeting its nuclear program through covert operations. Israeli officials, in turn, have hinted at potential strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. This exchange of threats that has intensified amid ongoing hostilities between the two nations since Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, a long-standing ally.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, says the window of opportunity to diplomatically engage with Iran is beginning to "shrink."

Biden's administration has warned the President-elect that Tehran and its proxies pose a continuing daily risk to Americans.