Iran, the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., Russia, China, and the European Union are hoping to revive the previously withdrawn nuclear deal with a new one. The eighth round of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) revival talks began this week in Austria, with the negotiations still ongoing.

On the seventh round of the JCPOA revival talks, European and American officials were reportedly frustrated about Iran’s demands with the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley accusing Iran of “trying to build leverage by expanding their nuclear program and hoping to use that leverage to get a better deal.”

However, with the JCPOA showing no significant promising signs, tensions have again been rising in the Middle East. If the talks fail, Israel and the U.S. are reportedly considering military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. U.S national security adviser Jake Sullivan has also visited Israel to discuss regional issues.

In December, Defence Minister Benny Gantz also said he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to “prepare for the Iranian challenge at the operational level.”

Iran has also been ramping up its military drills. Last week, Iran launched 16 ballistic missiles during a massive drill to warn Israel and its allies, according to top Iranian General Gholam Ali Rashid, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander.

“We want the enemy not to test our will and power because it will not be able to bear the costs of a massive and all-out confrontation, believing the Islamic Republic of Iran’s power will certainly have lower costs for the enemy,” he said according to the IRGC-owned Fars News Agency.

Meanwhile, the U.S has also hinted it will be considering other options if diplomacy fails in Vienna. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters: “The president has made clear that if diplomacy fails, we are prepared to turn to other options.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also told reporters: “Based on the outcome of the last round of talks and the ongoing advancements in Iran’s nuclear facilities, we are laying the path for…the groundwork for another path entirely,”

She added, “If diplomacy cannot get on track soon, and if Iran’s nuclear program continues to accelerate, then we will have no choice but to take additional measures to further restrict Iran’s revenue-producing sectors.”