Trump administration pushes for direct talks with Iran
Summary:

The administration of US President Donald Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and is still pressing for direct talks with Tehran, a National Security Council spokesman told Iran International.

Independent Chinese refineries known as teapots - the primary buyers of Iranian oil - appear to be pausing new orders of Iranian crude following Washington's first imposition of sanctions on a Chinese refinery.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has requested global banks' cooperation to increase financial pressure on Iran.

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Wednesday a military confrontation with Iran is almost inevitable if a 2015 nuclear deal lapses and a new agreement is not reached.

The US military has deployed long range bombers at a strategic Indian Ocean airbase, a move which presaged major bombing campaigns against Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

The White House is seriously considering Iran's proposal for indirect nuclear talks, Axios reported on Wednesday citing sources, as it beefs up US forces in the Middle East.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a 'strong blow' if US President Donald Trump followed through on threats to bomb the country.

Trump warned Iran would be bombed if it did not agree to a new nuclear deal, prompting a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to moot the pursuit of a bomb in the event of an attack.

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