Iran

Donald Trump has threatened air strikes if no deal is reached, while Iran hints it may pursue nuclear weapons with its growing uranium stockpile.

Rome has become ‘the capital of peace and dialogue’ Italian Foreign Minister Tajani claimed. The talks were mediated by Oman.

The strike on Ras Isa, located in Yemen’s western Hodeida province, represents a major escalation in a campaign that began on 15 March.

The 2015 nuclear deal collapsed with Trump’s unilateral withdrawal in 2018, while Iran abandoned all limits on its nuclear activities and enriches uranium to up to 60% purity, near the weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The strikes targeted a key fuel facility allegedly used to fund rebel operations.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Thursday that talks between the US and Iran about the country’s nuclear programme are at ‘a very crucial’ stage.

Iran had earlier insisted that the next round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington would take place in Oman.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged officials “not to tie the country’s affairs” to the talks, which are set to resume for a second round on Saturday.

The two-day joint military drills involved seçkine forces and heavy weaponry, as well as sniper units.

Iran’s foreign ministry now insists negotiations will take place again in Oman, contradicting earlier reports from Italy, the Netherlands and Iraq.