"We believe that Russia might provide Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics and air defense. We believe that Russia might provide Iran with fighter jets," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The unmanned aerial vehicle was downed over a US-occupied natural gas field in Syria

The young Iraqi woman using that pseudonym was sentenced early this month to half a year behind bars for the light-hearted video clips that show her in tight-fitting clothes.

Iran and China on Tuesday signed 20 cooperation agreements in different fields during President Ebrahim Raisi's three-day visit to Beijing, his office said.

An anti-aircraft system destroyed one drone and two others exploded, the ministry said, adding that there were no casualties and only minor damage to the site in the central province of Isfahan.

"All I want, sir, is one minute of your days' time for the next seven days devoted to thinking about the tribulations of the US hostages in Iran," Siamak Namazi wrote in an open letter to Biden.

Iran said on Monday that it will not accept the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the West under pressure or threat. Indirect talks between Iran, US on reviving nuclear deal remain stalled since August

In order to mimic attacks on Iran's nuclear programme, the Israeli Air Force conducted extensive joint drills with the United States.

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on over a dozen companies based in China, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates that Washington accused of facilitating the sale of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum products to buyers in East Asia.

Eight people were charged on Oct. 29 by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran province, with crimes carrying the death penalty, including “waging war against God” and “corruption on earth,” the experts said in a statement.

The United States is concerned about threats from Iran against Saudi Arabia and will not hesitate to respond if necessary, a White House spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Protests in Iran entered a more violent phase on Sunday as students, who defied an ultimatum by the Revolutionary Guards and a warning from the president, were met with tear gas and gunfire from security forces, social media videos showed.