Iran-US tensions highlights: Trump says Iran is negotiating with US, 'we'll see if we can do something'

Iran-US tensions highlights: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits the the shrine of the leader of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in southern Tehran.

Iran-US tensions highlights: Blasts were heard across Iran on Saturday amid escalating tensions with the US. An explosion took place at a building in the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf coast, though the cause of the blast was as yet unknown. One person was killed and 14 were reportedly injured in the blast. The explosion occurred at an eight-storey building, destroying two floors, several vehicles, and shops in the area, AFP reported, citing state media.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, on Saturday, blamed United States President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Europe of stirring tensions during the recent protests held in Iran and of "provoking" people.

The Iran President's remarks come a day after the US President Donald Trump appeared confident on Friday (local time) that Iran would prefer making a deal than face military action by America. "I can say this, they do want to make a deal," he said while talking to reporters in the White House. Trump's remarks came even as Iran said on Friday that its missile and defence capabilities would “never” find their way on the negotiating table.

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami on also said that his country's nuclear technology "cannot be eliminated" after Trump said he expected Iran to seek a deal to avoid US strikes, AFP reported

The US President also said that he has given Iran a deadline to begin talks on its nuclear as well as missile program; however, he did not mention what the deadline was. Giving an idea about the escalation of tensions between the two countries, Trump said that they have a “large armada” going towards Iran.

"We have a large armada, flotilla, call it whatever you want, heading toward Iran right now," Trump said as he referred to a US naval carrier group in waters off Iran, reported news agency AFP.

“Hopefully we'll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that's good. If we don't make a deal, we'll see what happens,” he added.

Iran official meets Putin

Amid the ongoing tensions with the United States, Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, its top security body, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Moscow.

While it is not known what the two leaders discussed, AFP reported that Russia has offered to play the role of a mediator between the two nations.

Trump administration imposes sanctions on Iran's interior minister

The Trump administration accused Iran's interior minister Eskandar Momeni of repressing nationwide protests across the country and imposed sanctions against him. According to the Trump administration, it was Momeni who oversaw Iran's law enforcement agencies who are responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful protestors across the country.

What caused Iran-US tensions to escalate

While tensions between the United States and Iran have been on the edge since nationwide protests hit the latter against the current regime, which reportedly led to thousands of deaths due to action by Tehran's security forces, the more recent escalations happened after US President Donald Trump threatened to attack the Islamic Republic and also ordered a US aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East.

What started as Trump's aim to curb the crackdown on nationwide protests has now become his ambition to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran.