Tensions are on the rise. Speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could block Iran from exporting oil if Tehran backs out of the nuclear deal.

Earlier, US officials made it clear that they are prepared to take "all necessary measures" to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear program, the White House stands ready to "cut off" the Islamic Republic from global oil trade.

“If Iran's leadership rejects this olive branch and continues to attack their neighbors, then we will have no choice but to inflict massive, maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero, like I did before,” Trump emphasized.

Previously, the US leader had excluded Israel from negotiations aimed at normalizing ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to Financial Times analysts, this decision stems from Iran’s reported plans to resume military operations in the Gaza Strip.