Tehran says it can ‘easily’ hit US ships

Iran said yesterday it could “easily” hit US warships in the Gulf, the latest in days of sabre rattling between Washington and Tehran, while its top diplomat worked to counter US sanctions and salvage a nuclear deal denounced by President Donald Trump. “Even our short-range missiles can easily reach (US) warships in the Gulf,” Mohamed Saleh Jokar, the deputy for parliamentary affairs of the elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), was quoted by Fars news agency as saying. “America cannot afford the costs of a new war, and the country is in a bad situation in terms of manpower and social conditions,” he added. Washington has increased economic sanctions and built up its military presence in the region, accusing Iran of threats to US troops and interests. Tehran has described those steps as “psychological warfare” and a “political game”. In Washington, a senior administration official said the United States is “sitting by the phone” but has heard no message yet from Iran that it is willing to accept Trump’s overtures for direct talks. “We think they should de-escalate and come to negotiations,” the official, who declined to be identified, told a small group of reporters. Trump has urged Iran’s leadership to hold talks over its nuclear programme and regional influence amid rising tensions between the two countries that has fanned fears of armed conflict after the United States deployed an aircraft carrier group to the region.