U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Israelis and Palestinians are making some progress in peace talks, though there is still a chance no accord will be reached.
Before leaving Jerusalem Sunday, Kerry said both sides had a better idea of the compromises needed to secure an agreement.
He said all the major issues in the conflict - borders, security, Palestinian refugees and Jerusalem - were under discussion.
But the top U.S. diplomat added that "years of mistrust" is making the process "difficult and complicated." He said it is impossible to predict "when the last pieces may decide to fall into place or may fall on the floor and leave the puzzle unfinished."
Kerry later spent an hour with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman discussing the peace talks, Syria's civil war and violence in Iraq. He then flew to Riyadh for talks with Saudi King Abdullah. This is Kerry's 10th visit to the Middle East since March.
On Iraq, the top U.S. diplomat said the United States supports the government as it battles against al-Qaida militants who have taken control of two towns in Anbar province. But he said the U.S. would not send any troops to Iraq, calling the battle "their fight."
Kerry also suggested that Iran might play a role at the peace talks on Syria that are scheduled to take place later this month in Geneva.
But he also stated there would be limits on Iran's role if Tehran did not formally accept that the goal of the conference would be create a transitional authority to govern Syria if President Bashar al-Assad could be persuaded to give up power.