Washington, D.C. ? The Obama administration said Thursday it is near to securing an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace talks. Some U.S. officials said an announcement could be imminent.

The State Department said an agreement was “very, very close” but that details were still being worked out. An announcement could come as early as today or Saturday, said administration officials familiar with the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the ongoing diplomacy.