US President Barack Obama will not meet Benjamin Netanyahu when the Israeli prime minister makes a controversial visit to the United States in early March, the White House says.
National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said on Thursday it was a "matter of long-standing practice and principle" that the president not meet candidates or incumbent leaders while they were on the campaign trail.
The Israeli leader is up for re-election on March 17, two weeks after his slated visit to Washington.
Netanyahu has been invited to address a joint session of Congress, to speak about the threat from Iran - which is accused of building a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.
The topic causes heartburn for the White House, which along with European allies, is engaged in the final phase of talks with Iran to end a decennial nuclear standoff.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Obama's allies fear the trip could be used by Israel and by the Republicans, who control Congress, to rally opposition to a grand bargain, undercutting talks just as they appear poised to bear fruit.
On Wednesday, the White House gave an icy response to news of Netanyahu's trip, branding it a break with protocol.
Netanyahu - and his Congressional hosts - have expressed deep scepticism about a brokered deal, believing Iran cannot be trusted to keep its side of the bargain.
US politicians have even sketched plans to increase sanctions on Iran, legislation Obama has said would wreck talks and which he would veto.
Netanyahu's visit looked set to consolidate that opposition, but the White House and its allies seem determined to push back.
"The President has been clear about his opposition to Congress passing new legislation on Iran that could undermine our negotiations and divide the international community," Meehan said.
Negotiators hope to have a framework deal in place by March 31.
