Overview

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of a decisive counterattack if the U.S. follows through on its threats of military action against Iran.
• Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric, threatening bombings 'like never seen before' if Iran does not agree to limit its nuclear program.
• Iran remains open to indirect negotiations with the U.S. but demands sanctions relief and trust-building measures as preconditions.
• The U.S. and its allies, including Israel, aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though Tehran denies pursuing them.
• Iran's severe economic crisis, driven by international sanctions, continues to pressure its leadership to seek relief through diplomacy.