Russia and China hold nuclear talks with US as tensions rise with Iran

The United States held nuclear talks with Russia and China in Geneva, while tensions with Iran escalated. Russia publicly urged Iran to 'exercise restraint' as the US built up military forces in the Middle East and renewed threats of a potential strike.

In response, Iran and Russia conducted joint naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz. Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, warned that any new US strike on Iran would be 'playing with fire'.