After pledging to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, President Donald Trump seems to be cautiously treading on the issue and sounded noncommittal during Wednesday's joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sought for an update on the matter, Trump replied: "As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly. We're looking at it with great care, great care, believe me. And we'll see what happens, okay?"

Trump made the embassy transfer a campaign promise last year, saying the process will be done "fairly quickly." His transition team has even identified the existing U.S. Consulate compound beside Dipomat Hotel in Jerusalem's Talpiot neighborhood as a potential site for the planned embassy.

Trump is not the first president to make such a commitment as this was also done by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. However, just like other chief executives, Clinton and Bush reneged on this promise for fear of inciting outrage among Palestinians and inflaming tensions in the Middle East.

While Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital, the city is a religious flashpoint being the site of Islam's holiest shrine, the Dome of the Rock. It also hosts the Temple Mount which is sacred to Judaism and the Christian pilgrimage site Holy Sepulchre. That is why foreign governments base their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Thus, any major shift in foreign policy such as the transfer of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has the potential of sparking a backlash from Muslims worldwide. Washington's official stand thus far is that recognition of Israel's capital should be based on a peace deal with Palestine.

After the posturing during the past months, the administration seems to be taking a second look at the issue based on the statement of Walid Phares, one of Trump's foreign policy advisers. He told BBC: "Many presidents of the United States have committed to do that, and [Trump] said as well that he will do that, but he will do it under consensus."