WASHINGTON — Although weakened and facing a domestic crisis, Iran’s regime still has substantial firepower that could inflict damage on American interests and allies in the region, disrupt the global economy and trigger a protracted conflict in response to a U.

Military planners are advising President Trump that any strike on Tehran's assets would almost certainly not be a singular, decisive blow.

The remarks differ from what Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is said to have told the president in high-level White House meetings.

Iran agreed a secret €500mn arms deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles in its most significant effort to rebuild air defences shattered during last year’s war with Israel.

Tehran and Mashhad universities saw anti-government protests Sunday, with students chanting against Ali Khamenei as security forces reportedly used tear gas.

The gambit was successful. At least twice, the president weighed ordering an attack on Iran, only to be dissuaded by aides from moving forward. But America now appears to be on the brink of war with Iran again. And this time, instead of acting as a deterrent, the Pentagon’s war plans are being used to draw up options for the president to consider.

President Trump has threatened to strike the Islamic republic unless a deal is reached on curbing its nuclear programme

Oil prices slid 1% on Monday as the U.S. and Iran head for a third round of nuclear talks, and President Donald Trump floated a new round of tariff hikes.

The government in Tehran sees capitulating to Washington’s demands on uranium enrichment and ballistic missiles as riskier to its survival than going to war, analysts say.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to the Caribbean country of St. Kitts and Nevis this week to reassert the Trump administration’s interests in the Western Hemisphere

By Trixie Yap and Anushree Mukherjee Feb 24 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Tuesday, nearing seven-month highs, with traders assessing geopolitical risks ahead of another round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks,