U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro Thursday, Sept 13, sought to calm fears of a crisis in U.S.-Israel relations, saying the two countries share the common goal of preventing Iran of acquiring nuclear weapons, The Jerusalem Post reported.

During a visit to Sderot, Shapiro also commented on the murder of U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, saying the loss of a great ambassador and three of his staff members is a great tragedy for the United States.