Iran steps up diplomacy with Russia and Gulf states as US weighs military action

Iran has launched a diplomatic offensive, including a new nuclear proposal via Qatar, amid US President Donald Trump's threats to resume major military operations against the Islamic republic. Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, delivering a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Tehran has set seven conditions, including sanctions relief and unfreezing assets, for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting peace talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held calls with Gulf leaders, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkiye, Qatar, and Oman, to discuss de-escalation. Trump told reporters he may have to "destroy the rest" of Iran, while recent days saw US strikes on Qeshm island and Iranian mines damaging tankers in the strait.