The US president says he has told Iran it has to do "two things" to avoid military action, as the US builds up its forces in the Gulf.

There is little sign that Iran has made significant progress in reconstituting its nuclear program, leaving questions about the timing and motive behind potential plans for further attacks.

By Steve Holland and Bo Erickson WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday he planned to speak with Iran, even as the U.S. dispatched another warship to the Middle East and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.

The president advised Iran make a deal or "the next attack will be far worse."

The plans being weighed by the president go beyond those he considered weeks ago amid widespread protests against Iran’s government.

Maliki's bid for Iraqi PM role as Secretary of State Marco Rubio expresses concerns about pro-Tehran government seizing control of Iraq.

Brent crude futures topped $71 a barrel for the first time since August after US President Donald Trump warned Iran to make a nuclear deal or face military strikes.

Bill Fallon, a retired US Navy Admiral and an author, discusses US-Iran tensions through the lens of US military actions in the past, and says that while the Trump administration has been pulling in forces to intimidate Iran,