Iran blames US for deal failure, urges new try amid fear of new attacks

▲ Escalating

Iran blames US for failed deal as US pulls diplomats from Saudi Arabia

On Saturday Iran blamed the US for the failed deal, urged a new attempt at talks and warned that even limited strikes would draw a response "several times greater". Earlier the US ordered diplomats and other federal employees out of Saudi Arabia and began drawing down staff at other regional missions, with officials saying Iran is in advanced stages of planning attacks on Americans. Trump is reported to be weighing new attacks, while Iranian officials say they will not let US warships approach.

• A US intelligence memo says Iranian plots against US citizens in the Middle East have reached advanced stages.
• On Thursday Iran said seven tankers in the Strait of Hormuz were hit by Iran or struck naval mines, and Saudi Arabia intercepted drones. Brent crude rose 3% to $112 a barrel, the highest since 18 May.
• A person briefed on war planning told NPR the US and Israel are preparing a possible attack on Iran after the US midterm elections.
• European and Middle East ministers meeting in Istanbul on Friday urged US-Iran diplomacy, and France's foreign minister said escalation would "create nothing but losers".