Decades of animosity between Iran and the United States are one of the main drivers of instability in the Middle East. Trump has previously taken a strong stand on Iran and particularly on a nuclear program which could lead to the development of atomic weapons. Iran says its nuclear aims are peaceful.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he hoped to immediately start work on a nuclear deal with Iran and expressed hope the country would “peacefully grow and prosper” the day after he signed an order to impose aggressive measures on Tehran.