The Pentagon extended the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group and ordered a second flotilla to the Middle East, Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Tuesday. It also sent additional warplanes to the region, including F-35 fighters and B-2 stealth bombers, according to a U.S. official.

D UBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has responded to a letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to its supreme leader in an attempt to jump-start talks over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, rejecting the option of direct talks.

The Pentagon has sent at least six B-2 bombers – 30% of the US Air Force’s stealth bomber fleet – to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, in what analysts have called a message to Iran as tensions once again flare in the Middle East.

France's foreign minister warned on Wednesday that if world powers were unable to quickly reach a new agreement with Iran over its contested nuclear programme then a military confrontation seemed "almost inevitable".

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have seized two overseas-registered tankers in the Persian Gulf accused of fuel smuggling.

Air Force Global Strike Command confirmed that B-2s have deployed to Diego Garcia, a US-UK military base.

French President Emmanuel Macron was convening key ministers and experts on Wednesday to discuss Iran, including its nuclear programme, amid growing tensions between Tehran and U.S. President Donald Trump,

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has responded to a letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to its supreme leader in an attempt to jump-start talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, rejecting the option of direct talks.

Iranian state media is reporting that Iran has placed all of its missiles on launchers in response to a potential U.S. attack.

In an apparent warning to Iran, several B-2 stealth bombers have recently been spotted on the runway of the U.S. military installation located on the island of Diego Garcia.