NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday he believes that some NATO countries were tested and failed amid Washington's criticism over European allies.

Pakistan's effort involved direct contact with top officials on all sides, with a Pakistani source saying the hardest part of the process was convincing Iran to accept a truce without preconditions.

A defense ministry statement said the Italian logistics convoy was traveling from Shama to Beirut on Wednesday when, about 2 km after departure, the Israeli military fired warning shots.

Netanyahu made a "hard sell" for attacking Iran, the report claimed, adding that he pitched a number of options for a new Iranian leader who would take over when the current regime fell.

Iranian and US officials are expected to hold talks on Friday to discuss a long-term settlement after the longtime foes agreed on a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire to suspend a six-week-old war.