Iran accuses U.S. of 'provocative statements' ahead of nuclear talks

Iran accused the U.S, of “contradictory behavior and provocative statements” after Washington warned Tehran of consequences for backing Yemen’s Houthis.

Iran accused the United States on Thursday of “contradictory behavior and provocative statements” after Washington warned Tehran of consequences for backing Yemen’s Houthis and imposed new oil-related sanctions on it in the midst of nuclear talks.

Washington and Tehran have been conducting negotiations over the past month on a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program in return for the lifting of financial sanctions. A fourth round of talks is due to be held in Rome on Saturday.

On Wednesday Washington imposed sanctions on entities it accused of involvement in the illicit trade of Iranian oil and petrochemicals.

Separately, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran that it would face consequences for supporting the Houthis, who control northern Yemen and have attacked ships in the Red Sea in what the group says is solidarity with the Palestinians.

Washington has been bombing the Houthis intensively since mid-March, hitting more than 1,000 targets. Tehran says the Houthis act independently.