Hazrat abbas, Mosque in Karbala, Iraq

His comments came as Washington tightened sanctions on Iran's crude exports and has also been increasing its military assets in the Middle East in the face of what it regards as new "threats" from Tehran.Tensions have grown between the two countries since last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 international deal which aimed to ease sanctions in exchange for an end to Tehran's nuclear programme.Calling the nuclear deal "defective", Trump re-imposed sanctions on Iran. Following that, the latter suspended its commitments earlier this month, threatening to resume production of enriched uranium.But Trump still says that he wants to avoid conflict.Speaking to state news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China on Saturday, Zarif said Trump "does not want war, but the people around him are pushing him towards war under the pretext of making America stronger against Iran".Washington has also ordered the departure of "non-emergency employees" from Iraq, citing intelligence about a potential threat to American forces by Iran.US investigators have accused Iran or the groups it supports of using explosives to damage four tankers off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month. Tehran has denied the allegations.While leaders on both sides have insisted they do not want war, tensions in the Gulf remain high.American diplomats warned on Saturday that commercial airlines flying in the area risk being "misidentified".An order, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and relayed by diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE, said aircraft operators needed to be aware of "heightened military activities and increased political tension".Insurer Lloyd's of London on Friday also widened its list of areas in and around the Gulf that pose an "enhanced risk for marine insurers".

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

Ganeshotsav

Marathi Language Controversy

Maharashtra News

Mumbai Local

Weather Update

Mumbai Rains

Hazrat AbbasFOLLOW

Hazrat abbas, Latest News

International :UN reiterates support for security, reconstruction efforts of Iraq

A delegation from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Saturday held talks with Iraqi leaders and reiterated their support to Baghdad's security and reconstruction efforts. ...

National :Lord Ram image found in Iraqi mural

A mural in Iraq, dated circa 2000 BC, is said to represent an image of Lord Ram. ...

International :Despite waging wars of trade, words, Trump steps back from air attack on Iran (News Analysis)

US President Donald Trump wages wars of trade and words, but he has pulled back from an air attack on Iran that could have led to an armed conflict an actual war. ...

International :Iraq: Rocket hits site housing several global oil compes in Basra, 2 injured

In the latest attack on oil infrastructure in the Middle East, a rocket struck at the site housing headquarters of several global oil compes in Iraq's southern city of Basra on Wednesday morning. ...

Business :EU grants FAO 15m euro for farmers in northern Iraq

A 15 million euro European Union grant to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation will aid farmers in northern Iraq's Nineveh province - once the country's 'breadbasket' - recover from the damage to their livelihoods caused by devastatin ...

International :Iran dismisses possibility of war amid US tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war breaking out in the region amid rising tensions with the US, saying that Tehran doesn't want a conflict and no country had the "idea or illusion that it can confront I ...