Iranhas launched large-scale war games in theStrait of Hormuz– a critical global oil supply route – just one day beforenuclear negotiationswith the United States begin. Tensions are mounting as Tehran has warned it could shut the Strait entirely if Washington launches an attack, whileDonald Trumphas told Iran in return to brace for "very bad" consequences if he does not get what he wants.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is conducting the drills to prepare for "potential security and military threats", Iranian state TV said on Monday (February 16). In footage shared by Iran, senior military officials can be seen overseeing missile strikes, explosions and soldiers on a mock battlefield, as well as Iranian rocket launchers taking downdronesand ships in the Strait of Hormuz. "We used weapons on these islands that have very high accuracy," IRGC chief Mohamed Pakpour said in one video.

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This comes afterDonald Trumplaunched his own series of threats and military manoeuvres against Iran, including sending ships in their direction. The US president has backed a regime change in a bid to stop Tehran developingnuclear weapons– a claim Iran denies.

"I'll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they'll be very important," he said aboard Air Force One on Monday, warning: "I don't think they want the consequences of not making a deal".

He added that Iran learned the consequences of a tough US position in talks last summer when the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites.

"We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s," Mr Trump said, referring to the stealth bombers that carried out the bombings. "I hope they're going to be more reasonable."

The US has already deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East – sparking fears of a full-blown conflict. TheUSS Gerald R Ford is on its wayto join the USS Abraham Lincoln, already stationed in the region. According to theBBC, US destroyers, combat ships and fighter jets have also been tracked in the region.

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Source: Daily Express :: World Feed