Now turning to international news...

Iran and Russia have held annual military drills as a second US aircraft
carrier draws closer to the Middle East.

Both the US and Iran are signaling that they're prepared for war if talks on
Tehran's nuclear program don't pan out.

US President Donald Trump says that he believes 10 to 15 days isenough time
for Iran to reach a deal...

but talks on its nuclear program have been at a stalemate for years, and Iran
has refused to discuss wider US and Israeli demands that it downsize its
missile program and cut ties to armed groups.

Indirect talks held in recent weeks made little visible progress,

Iran’s theocracy is more vulnerable than ever following 12 days of Israeli
and U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites and military last year, as well as mass
protests in January that were violently suppressed.

But it is still capable of striking Israel and U.S. bases in the region, and
has warned that any attack would trigger a regional war.