U.S. President Donald Trump, who scrapped an earlier nuclear agreement with Iran during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program. Iran has said it would respond with an attack of its own. Trump has also threatened Iran over the killing of protesters.

As Trump pressures Iran, he's spoken of an "armada" heading for the Mideast, but there's another massive movement of American fire power in the air.

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is sending a slew of additional weaponry to the Middle East, including more warships, air defenses and submarines, in preparation for a possible military strike on Iran if President Donald Trump makes that decision,

US President Donald Trump delivered his latest ultimatum to Iran on Thursday during a meeting of the Board of Peace, the Middle East coalition Trump formed to stabilise a region he could soon plunge into a new, weeks-long war.

What comes next would present its own set of challenges.

Oil ⁠rose as the U.S. and Iran attempted to ease a standoff in talks over Tehran's nuclear program while ​both sides heightened military activity in ​the key oil-producing region.

Russia has a strategic partnership ​treaty with Iran, although it does not include ⁠a mutual ⁠defence clause. A ⁠Russian ​naval corvette conducted manoeuvres with the Iranian navy in the ​Gulf of ⁠Oman this week, according to Russia's Defence Ministry.

Iran is reportedly working to rebuild nuclear sites damaged during June 22 "Midnight Hammer" operation as the regime participates in Geneva talks.