Gulf tensions ratchet up further at UN

Teheran says detained British-flagged tanker, Stena Impero, has been released

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has urged the United States to "cease this policy of maximum pressure" on his nation while the US announced plans to deploy more troops to the Persian Gulf region, indicating that the battle between the two countries will be a long one, said a Chinese expert.

Rouhani said that US sanctions must be lifted before he would talk with US President Donald Trump, although he did not explicitly rule out the possibility of meeting, according to The Associated Press.