Donald Trump says he remains hopeful of reaching a deal with Iran, but warns that if talks fail, “we’ll find out” what happens next. His comments come hours after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack would trigger a regional war in the Middle East. Tensions are rising as the United States deploys the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln along with a powerful fleet of warships to the Persian Gulf, placing American forces within striking distance of Iran. The Pentagon says the buildup is meant to deter aggression, while keeping all military options on the table.

A massive explosion has rocked Bandar Abbas, one of Iran’s key Gulf cities, leaving 1 dead and 14 injured as an eight-storey building suffers extensive damage to floors, vehicles and nearby shops. The mysterious blast comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the US, with Tehran pointing fingers at the United States, Israel, and Europe for allegedly “provoking” recent civil unrest. President Trump stated that Iran is now seeking a diplomatic deal under pressure while emphasizing that the US maintains a strong military presence in the Gulf as a warning signal. Meanwhile, the Iranian president has firmly rejected any negotiations over nuclear technology and missile defense capabilities, calling them non-negotiable. WATCH