Iran, Trump and Tehran
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After three difficult years, armed groups loyal to Tehran appear to be bouncing back across the Middle East, reinforcing Iran’s leverage in its war with the United States and Israel.
Iran has rejected Donald Trump's claim that Tehran asked Washington to halt planned military strikes, with state media calling the allegation a "new lie" as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and prospects for renewed negotiations continue.
The United States paused attacks on Iran for a second straight day Sunday and Tehran said it had done so too, as efforts continued to bring the countries back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire.
The latest strikes came after the US joined Saudi Arabia in attacking Iran-backed militias in neighbouring Iraq.
The United States has launched more airstrikes at Iran, targeting the Revolutionary Guard in response to the killing of U.S. troops.
The regional crossfire raised the risks that an interim agreement to halt fighting in the war could break down, putting the Middle East again at risk of a wider conflict.
Iran has said it is not seeking to resume peace talks with the U.S., although it would pause its own attacks for as long as Trump's self-imposed ceasefire continues.
Iraq signed $100 billion in U.S. energy deals with Chevron and ExxonMobil. But Washington is forcing Baghdad to balance ties with Iran and China.