During a visit to Russia on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said his country was not seeking war with Iran.

"We fundamentally do not seek a war with Iran," Mr Pompeo told the American media travelling with him in the resort city of Sochi. But he added: "We have also made clear to the Iranians that if American interests are attacked, we will most certainly respond in an appropriate fashion." He was speaking at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.