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IRAN has threatened to boost nuclear stocks amid a standoff with the US over recent Gulf tanker attacks.

In a meeting with other world leaders, Hassan Rouhani today said the country will continue scaling back nuclear deal commitments unless other nations show "positive signals".

 Two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz were attacked on Thursday
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Two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz were attacked on ThursdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in Tajikistan
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in TajikistanCredit: Reuters
 Rouhani shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan
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Rouhani shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in KyrgyzstanCredit: Getty - Contributor
Pentagon releases a video which appears to show Iranian boat removing an unexploded mine from one of the attacked oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman

During the conference, Rouhani said: "Obviously, Iran cannot stick to this agreement unilaterally.

"It is necessary that all the sides of this agreement contribute to restoring it."

The Iranian President made no mention of attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week, which the US blamed Tehran for.

Iran has denied any role in the attacks, calling the accusations "ridiculous" and "dangerous".

What we know so far:

  • Two oil tankers were seriously damaged in attacks in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday
  • The Front Altair and the Kokuka Courageous are believed to have been blasted by mines
  • Washington believes Iran is behind the shocking attacks
  • The US released footage which it claims shows Iranian military removing a mine from the Courageous
  • Tehran denies involvement and has accused the US of 'Iranophobia' 
  • The Pentagon says that the crew of the Altair is being held captive in Iran
  • US Defense sources told CNN that Iran fired at an American drone before Thursday's attack
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blames Iran for attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in blast at the Islamic state

Iran launched a surface-to-air missile at an American drone just hours before its attack on two oil tankers, US military sources revealed on Friday.

Pentagon insiders said Tehran tried to shoot down the US MQ-9 Reaper drone as it monitored the region - but missed.

The rocket plummeted harmlessly to the water below - allowing the drone's operators to spot Iranian ships approaching the oil tankers, the sources told .

But an Iranian missile fired by its proxy Houthi rebels downed a different US Reaper drone over the Red Sea just days ago, the same anonymous official revealed.

America has accused Tehran of lying about the "blatant" attacks on the two ships which burst into flames on Thursday.

The blasts led to the evacuation of 44 crew members in waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

Damning footage released by the United States shows an Iranian navy boat removing a mine from the side of the Kokuka Courageous tanker.

It was the second ship to be blasted by suspected magnetic mines.

Both the Norwegian-owned Front Altair and the Japanese-owned Courageous were badly damaged in the explosions - which ripped holes in their hulls and sent flames and smoke billowing.

'CANNOT EXPECT TO REMAIN SAFE'

Earlier this week, Iran has said America “cannot expect to remain safe” as the UN nuclear watchdog warned Tehran is accelerating its enrichment of uranium.

The country's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, issued the chilling threat amid rising tensions with the US over its plans to build nuclear weapons.

Zarif said: "Reducing tension is only possible through stopping the economic war by America.

"Those who wage such wars cannot expect to remain safe."

Last year Donald Trump pulled out of an agreement between Iran and other world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

Since then, the President has engaged in a war or words with the regime amid intelligence warnings Iran is planning attacks on the US military in the region.

Iran stopped complying in May with some commitments in a 2015 nuclear deal that was agreed with global powers, a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord and tightened sanctions.

Tehran said in May that Iran would start enriching uranium at a higher level unless world powers protected its economy from US sanctions within 60 days.

Oman oil tanker captain screams 'torpedo' in dramatic distress call moments after attack being blamed on Iran

'CREW HELD CAPTIVE'

Calling the Islamic Republic "a nation of terror," President Trump on Friday publicly accused Iran of responsibility for Thursday’s attacks.

Trump said Iran's culpability was "exposed" by the United States.

Calling into Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends, the firebrand Republican said: "Iran did do it, and you know they did it because you saw the boat.

"I guess one of the mines didn't explode, and it's probably got essentially Iran written all over it."

Since its blood-soaked revolution in 1979, the Islamic Republic has become infamous for using foreign hostages as diplomatic bargaining chips.

After the 444-day Iranian hostage crisis' involved 52 US citizens ended on January 20, 1981, Tehran has taken dozens more westerners captive - including many Americans.

 US intelligence insists that evidence proves Iran was behind the coordinated attack on the oil tankers
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US intelligence insists that evidence proves Iran was behind the coordinated attack on the oil tankersCredit: Twitter / @PhilipinDC
 The region is now rife with tension as Iran and the US continue to front-up to each other
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The region is now rife with tension as Iran and the US continue to front-up to each other
Gulf of Oman attack - 23 oil tanker crew members filmed safe in Jask after suspected attack

A 2017 Reuters investigation found that the Revolutionary Guards had arrested at least 30 dual nationals in two years.

One is Brit aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who was arrested for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime - charges her family and employers strongly deny.

Meanwhile, following Thursday's attacks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed the finger at Iran as the Pentagon released the "proof" of the country's involvement.

It is claimed the Islamic Republic sought to remove evidence of its involvement from the scene near the Strait of Hormuz.

TEHRAN'S DENIALS

Iran strongly denies the "unfounded and reckless" claims - accusing the US instead of spreading “disinformation”.

Iran's UN representatives said: “The US and its regional allies must stop warmongering and put an end to mischievous plots and false flag operations in the region.

“Warning, once again, about all of the US coercion, intimidation and malign behaviour, Iran expresses concern over suspicious incidents for the oil tankers that occurred today.”

Trump said yesterday he was ready to launch talks with Iran while maintaining Tehran was to blame for the attacks.

He told Fox News: "We want to get them back to the table - I'm ready when they are," adding that he was in "no rush."

Asked how to he planned to address Tehran and stop any further incidents, Trump said: "We'll see what happens."

The suspected mine attack on Thursday come as tensions in the Persian Gulf between the United States and Iran are threatening to reach boiling point.

Massive oil tanker ‘struck by torpedo’ in the Gulf of Oman near Iran
 Iran fired at a US MQ-9 Reaper drone as it monitored the Gulf of Oman on Thursday just hours before two tankers were blasted by mines allegedly placed by Iranian forces, a Pentagon official revealed
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Iran fired at a US MQ-9 Reaper drone as it monitored the Gulf of Oman on Thursday just hours before two tankers were blasted by mines allegedly placed by Iranian forces, a Pentagon official revealedCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 One of the two tankers blasted by suspected magnetic mines that the US insist were placed by Iranian forces on Thursday
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One of the two tankers blasted by suspected magnetic mines that the US insist were placed by Iranian forces on Thursday
 Footage released by the US apparently shows Iranian forces secretly planting the magnetic mines
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Footage released by the US apparently shows Iranian forces secretly planting the magnetic minesCredit: Reuters
 US Central Command released this image showing explosive damage and a second potential mine on the hull of the Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of Oman
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US Central Command released this image showing explosive damage and a second potential mine on the hull of the Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of OmanCredit: AFP
 The tankers Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous had just passed through the strategic Strait of Hormuz
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The tankers Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous had just passed through the strategic Strait of HormuzCredit: Reuters
 Donald Trump pinned the blame on Iran on Friday, saying all evidence points to the Islamic Republic being responsible
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Donald Trump pinned the blame on Iran on Friday, saying all evidence points to the Islamic Republic being responsibleCredit: AFP or licensors
 Iranian supreme leader Ayatollha Ali Khamenei. Iran vehemently denies being behind the attacks
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Iranian supreme leader Ayatollha Ali Khamenei. Iran vehemently denies being behind the attacksCredit: EPA
US President Donald Trump ​talks to Piers Morgan about the threat of Iran and the possibility of a military conflict

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