TEHRAN - Iran's foreign minister was due to leave Saturday for a whirlwind diplomatic tour as world leaders scramble to salvage something from the wreckage of a key nuclear deal after Washington withdrew. Zarif's delicate diplomatic mission was complicated by reports of clashes between Iranian and Israeli forces in Syria on Thursday. The White House backed Israel's claims, accusing Iran of "reckless actions" that posed a "severe threat" to stability in the Middle East. Iran denies that version of events, saying the Israeli strikes were launched on "invented pretexts". Iranian hardliners are already mobilising against the government's efforts to save the nuclear deal.

Source: Bangkok Post May 12, 2018 08:37 UTC