Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow’s position on the Iran war and resulting sanctions, and said together, Moscow and Tehran can resist what he called the US’ “unilateralism”.

The two men spoke during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran will immediately reciprocate if the United States returns to its commitments under an interim deal signed in June.

His comments came as US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes against Iran on Monday. “We’re going to hit ​them hard,” a Fox News reporter quoted Trump as later telling the channel. “There will be a response.”

Oil prices extended gains amid fears of a fresh bout of military exchanges between the US and Iran.

Meanwhile, two supertankers carrying Saudi oil were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz late on Monday, according to shipping intelligence and tracking firms Marisks and Kpler.