Iran and the United States begin high-stakes talks to reach a new nuclear deal on Saturday foreshadowed by President Trump’s threat of military strikes as a consequence of failure and Tehran’s warning any attack on it would drag the US into another Middle Eastern conflict.

The negotiations come as Iran faces a series of significant setbacks, including military defeats, economic strain, and international pressure, bringing the country to a point of vulnerability after a tumultuous 18 months in the Middle East.

Top Iranian officials pressed the country’s leader to reverse his position, arguing that the risk of war with the United States and the worsening economic crisis could topple the regime.