A Palestinian protester hurls a stone at Israeli soldiers during clashes after a protest against the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Nidal Eshtayeh)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday the U.S. embassy in Israel was unlikely to be moved to Jerusalem before 2020, national media outlets reported.

"It's not going to be anything that happens right away," U.S. news daily the New York Times quoted Tillerson's speech at the State Department to report on Tuesday.

"Probably no earlier than three years out, and that's pretty ambitious," the head of the State Department added.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and his intention of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The declaration serves "the interest of the United States and the peace between Israel and the Palestinians," said Trump at a televised speech.

Speaking of the moving of the U.S. embassy, Trump said the State Department will immediately begin to hire architects and engineers, so as to make the new embassy "a magnificent tribute to peace" when completed.

Trump's decision, which was seen as undermining the Middle East peace process and further destabilizing the region, has drawn condemnation and opposition globally.