In this photo released by, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shake hands during their meeting in Tehran, Iran,

Iran will not succumb to pressure and sanctions imposed by Washington, the Islamic Republic's top diplomat said on Tuesday after meeting his Russian counterpart, days after Moscow held initial talks with the U.

"We are primarily interested in understanding the essence of President Trump's new line," a former Russian envoy told Newsweek.

Israel's foreign minister said a "reliable military option" needed to be on the table to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons as U.S. President Donald Trump steps up pressure on the Islamic republic and as Iran prepares for a possible Israeli attack.

Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium as tensions between Tehran and Washington rise after the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, a report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen by The Associated Press on Wednesday showed.

Iran's top diplomat has said that Tehran will resist pressure from the US over nuclear talks. US President Donald Trump has reimposed a tough policy on Iran upon his return to the White House.

President Pezeshkian says Tehran and Moscow pursue the strengthening of their regional and international cooperation.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran is taking steps to accelerate its near weapons-grade uranium in a broader effort to expand its capability for nuclear warfare, according to the watchdog’s latest report.

Iran will not engage in direct talks with the United States on his country’s nuclear programme amid US President Donald Trump’s policy of “maximum pressure” against it, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.