Addressing Trump's comments on Iran's regional presence, Araghchi reiterated Tehran's position that Israel is the source of threat in the region with the strikes and killing in the Gaza Strip, where the Israel Defense Forces say that they are fighting Hamas militants.

Iraq is one of Iran’s last allies in the region, and Iran wants to show its clout in Iraq and pressure Baghdad.

Oil tumbled nearly 4% as a potential U.S.-Iran nuclear deal raised the prospect of increased global crude supply on Thursday, while stocks markets took a well-earned breather following their weeks-long recovery run.

Oil prices slumped significantly as President Trump indicated progress in negotiations with Iran regarding a nuclear deal, potentially leading to sanctions relief and impacting global oil supply.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the terms.

Iran's top arbitration body has approved a bill that could help remove Tehran from the blacklist of a global financial crime watchdog, state media reported on Wednesday, potentially advancing efforts to widen trade and investment opportunities.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday stated that his country would not “bow down to any bully,” a day after US President Donald Trump had labeled Tehran as the 'most destructive force' contributing to regional instability.

US Treasury Department imposes sanctions on six individuals and 12 entities in Iran and China for aiding Tehran’s ballistic missile program as part of Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign.