Iran said on Tuesday a recent round of talks with the U.S. had been fruitful but the imposition by Washington of further sanctions was not compatible with the negotiations.

A fourth round of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme have taken place in Oman, with both sides agreeing to meet again. US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions in Muscat were encouraging, while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described them as "difficult but useful".

Iran's army chief of staff said the Islamic Republic's armed forces are at peak combat and intelligence readiness, warning that while enemies may start a conflict, Iran will decide how and where it ends,