Iran’s foreign minister met with the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog Monday as Tehran signaled openness to a US deal in exchange for sanctions relief.
The countries are set for another round of nuclear talks on Tuesday aimed at reaching an agreement and averting a war.
US President Donald Trump prefers a diplomatic solution, and an Iranian minister told BBC that Tehran was willing to consider compromises, but military tensions are simmering.
Washington ordered a second group of aircraft carriers to the Middle East, while Iran on Monday began a new military drill in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran wants to “warn Washington that a war with Iran would have serious consequences for global energy markets,” one expert said.