Feb 18 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in ⁠an ⁠interview made public on Wednesday, ⁠said that any new U.S. strike on Iran would have ​serious consequences and called for restraint to find a solution to enable Iran to pursue ‌a peaceful nuclear programme.

US-Iran tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump launched a fresh threat on Tehran on Wednesday after mediatory talks between the two nations in Geneva. Trump said Iran would attract ‘bad things’ if it fails to strike a deal with Washington.

Iran has been joined by Russia and China in deploying naval vessels for a joint live-fire exercise in the Strait

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as a second American aircraft carrier drew closer to the Middle East, with both the United States and Iran signaling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran’s nuclear program fizzle out.

Oil prices gained over 1% on Wednesday after falling in ​the previous session as investors assessed developments ​in Russia-Ukraine and U.S.–Iran ​talks.

Iran’s leaders want to reach a nuclear deal with the U.S., but they are also rushing to prepare for war in case talks between the countries fail.

President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner represented the U.S. and also took part in indirect negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program