Iran says does not ‘presently’ believe in mediation with US

TEHRAN: Iran´s foreign ministry on Tuesday insisted it did not currently see the need for mediation with the United States, as it played down the chances of a military clash with Washington. Spokesman Abbas Mousavi told a press conference that Tehran “does not feel any tension or (the possibility of) clashes” and said concerns had been “created by others”. He told journalists that the Islamic republic “does not presently believe in” mediation. Iran is locked in a standoff with the United States which has beefed up its military presence in the Middle East in response to alleged threats from the Islamic republic. Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the region in a show of force. The moves are the latest spike since US President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal on Iran´s nuclear programme and reimposed sanctions.