Thu Jun 12 05:20:11 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**The Hindu: Tensions Rise as Nuclear Deal Between U.S. and Iran Hangs in the Balance**

**Tehran, June 12, 2025** – Hopes for a renewed nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran are fading as both sides issue increasingly strong warnings. Iran threatened to target U.S. military bases in the region if conflict erupts, while President Trump expressed dwindling confidence in reaching a deal, calling Iran’s uranium enrichment a “red line.”

The escalating tensions have prompted the U.S. to reduce staff at its embassy in Iraq due to security concerns, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations is advising ships to exercise caution in the Gulf.

The deadlock centers on Iran’s insistence on its right to enrich uranium, which it defends as necessary for peaceful purposes. Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60%, a level far exceeding the limits of the 2015 accord abandoned by Trump in 2018. Trump, who revived his “maximum pressure” campaign earlier this year, has repeatedly warned of military action if diplomacy fails.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, IAEA, is currently meeting to discuss Iran’s atomic activities and has criticized Tehran for insufficient cooperation regarding past nuclear material found at undeclared sites, a claim Iran disputes.

While five rounds of talks have taken place since April, Tehran has criticized the U.S. proposal for failing to offer adequate sanctions relief. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for military confrontation looming if a diplomatic resolution cannot be reached.

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