U.S. President Barack Obama says he will take every possible action to discourage Iran from having nuclear weapons, noting diplomacy remains the “preferred solution."

Obama said in an interview with U.S. broadcaster NBC that he will do everything he can to persuade Iran to give up on its nuclear ambitions and prevent an arms race in the volatile Middle East region.

The U.S. president said his preferred solution is diplomatic, but he is not taking any options off the table.

In regards to Israel’s possible strike against Iran, Obama said that he didn’t think Israel has made a decision, adding that the U.S. and Israeli military and intelligence authorities have close ties.