Iran is ready to participate in “fair and just” nuclear talks with the United States amid rising tensions between the two nations, but will not be dictated to, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday.

U.S. allies and partners in the Middle East again are urging restraint from both the United States and Iran as the Trump administration warns of a possible strike and builds up its military presence in the region.

Tuvan Gumrukcu DUBAI, Feb 3 - Regional power United Arab Emirates urged Iran and the United States on Tuesday to resolve a standoff that has led to mutual threats of air strikes

Iran's supreme leader warned Sunday that any attack by the United States would spark a "regional war" in the Mideast, further escalating tensions as President Donald Trump has threatened to militarily strike the Islamic Republic.

If it refuses to make a deal, he said, the next attack would be “far worse” than the raids on Iran’s nuclear sites last year. That is a credible threat. The centrepiece of the armada is the USS Abraham Lincoln,

Even with US forces poised to strike Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CNN that he was “confident that we can achieve a deal” on Tehran’s nuclear program.

The U.S. president said the situation in Iran was "in flux," raising anticipation of negotiations with Tehran or military action.

U.S. naval and air forces are moving toward the Middle East as tensions with Iran rise, highlighting deterrence efforts, escalation risks, and what the buildup means for servicemembers operating in the region.

By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried a U.S. strike could break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back onto the streets, following a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests,