Senior Iranian officials have warned the United States against conflict, as Russia’s foreign minister spoke of a “downward spiral” relationship between the two countries.
Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, said Tehran doesn’t want a war that would devastate the region.
They denied Iranian involvement in attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf and on a Saudi oil station, raising the possibility of sabotage.
Iran’s statement followed a New York Times report that National Security Adviser John Bolton ordered updates to a military plan that outlines sending up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East should Iran attack US forces or escalate its nuclear activities.
