Good move. The vast majority of Iran's population, heavily skewed on the younger side, are very pro-Western. By engaging in diplomacy, this buys time in which the hardline Old Guard can die and be replaced by more progressive constituents.
Israel does carry a LOT of weight in regards to the US's foreign policy, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, but the US still gives tens of billions in aid to predominantly Muslim countries that are openly hostile to Israel. It is extremely unlikely that the Obama administration would greenlight any pre-emptive strike against Iran.