BRUSSELS: The EU's top diplomat on Thursday warned the United States against starting a new Middle East war, as President Donald Trump threatens potential strikes on Iran.
"When it comes to attacks, then I think the region does not need a new war," foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
Meanwhile, Iran vowed a "crushing response" to any attack after Trump warned time was running out for a nuclear deal.
Foes Washington and Tehran have exchanged sharp warnings since a protest wave in Iran led Trump to threaten military action over a crackdown, while the Islamic republic blamed the United States for fuelling what it deemed "riots".
The face-off has sent diplomatic shock waves across the region, with calls for negotiations to defuse tensions drawing in key regional actors.
Iranian officials have also ratcheted up warnings that Tehran would respond forcefully to any US military action, while not ruling out diplomatic solutions.
Iran's army chief Amir Hatami on Thursday vowed a "crushing response" to any attack, according to state television, which reported 1,000 "strategic drones" had joined the combat regiments.
A US naval strike group arrived in Middle East waters on Monday, with Trump warning it was "ready, willing and able" to hit Iran "if necessary".
He said on Wednesday that "time is running out" for Iran to negotiate a deal over its nuclear programme.
A Gulf official said that fears of a US strike on Iran are "very clear".
"It would bring the region into chaos, it would hurt the economy not just in the region but in the US and cause oil and gas prices to skyrocket," the official added.
Türkiye on Thursday said it would offer to mediate between Washington and Tehran during an upcoming visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after Ankara's top diplomat urged Washington to start nuclear talks with Tehran.
"It's wrong to attack Iran. It's wrong to start the war again. Iran is ready to negotiate on the nuclear file again," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Qatar-based Al Jazeera television in English.
Nato member Türkiye is also weighing contingency plans along its 530-km border with Iran should the dispute escalate, a senior official said. — AFP
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