President Donald Trump stoked fears that his campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran would lead to military conflict after he blamed Tehran for attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week.

Mr Trump has swung like a pendulum on Tehran since he withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal a year ago. At times he has warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it threatened the US. But he has also suggested that he wanted to meet the Iranian leadership to negotiate a deal, before saying the time was not right.

“I genuinely believe the president hopes that his approach of maximum pressure will lead to talks but?.?.?.?the policy that he has approved may lead to the war that he doesn’t want,” said Robert Malley, a Middle East expert who heads the International Crisis Group.