Pompeo says U.S. does not want war with Iran; pushes for international response

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listens during a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at Villa Borsig guest house in Berlin, Germany, May 31, 2019. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States does not want to go to war with Iran but will take every action necessary, including diplomacy, to guarantee safe navigation through vital shipping lanes in the Middle East, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

U.S.-Iran tensions are high following accusations by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran carried out attacks last Thursday on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, a vital oil shipping route. Iran has denied having any role.