Defense expert Cameron Chell called Iran's military moves a "calculated escalation" as U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones with strike capabilities were reportedly spotted in the region.

Iran agreed a secret €500mn arms deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles in its most significant effort to rebuild air defences shattered during last year’s war with Israel.

President Donald Trump had delivered a 10 day ultimatum for Iran on Thursday evening — but later told reporters that he was weighing a limited military strike ahead of this deadline

On Thursday 19, Russia and Iran combined naval forces to conduct joint exercises on the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. The two countries came together as a response to the US

Iran on Thursday held military drills with Russia amid escalating tensions with the United States, after President Trump gave the Middle Eastern country a 10-day timeline for the U.S. and Iran to strike a deal over the latter’s nuclear program.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is calling on Iran and "all parties" in the Middle East to show restraint as the U.S. continues military buildup.

Iran has threatened to retaliate, including by striking U.S. bases, if Washington launches an attack on the country.

Global tensions are reaching a boiling point as Vladimir Putin places nuclear weapons back at the center of world politics. In a stark address, Putin declared strengthening Russia’s nuclear triad an “absolute priority,