US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has accused Iran of “alarming ongoing provocations” aimed at destabilising the Middle East and undermining America’s interests in the region. “An unchecked Iran has the potential to travel the same path as North Korea and to take the world along with it,” Mr Tillerson said.  Earlier, President Donald Trump ordered a review of the Iran nuclear deal. However, the US admits that Tehran is complying with the 2015 agreement. Iran has so far made no public comments on the latest developments.

Over in the Kurdistan Region, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Wednesday The US State Department has approved the possible sale of $295.6 million worth of military equipment to Peshmerga Forces. The possible “Foreign Military Sale” aims to outfit two Peshmerga infantry brigades and two artillery battalions and provide them with the required equipment. They would operate under the KRG’s Ministry of Peshmerga in agreement with the central government. The sale would assist in the defeat of ISIS, the statement said, adding it would not “alter the basic military balance in the region.”

Lastly, congratulations to World number two Serena Williams who announced her pregnancy yesterday via social media. The 35-year-old had earlier posted a picture of herself on Snapchat posing in a mirror with the message: “20 weeks”, before deleting the post. The American, who won an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam in Australia in January, will miss the rest of the season.