WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has taken the unusual step of tapping military leaders for high-level diplomacy, sending the top U.S. commander in the Middle East to talks over Iran’s nuclear program and positioning the Army secretary as a key negotiator on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

The announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday came after hours of indications that the anticipated talks were faltering over changes in the format and content of the talks. U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, sent a blunt warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ahead of the talks.

Khamenei has joined the annual session every year since taking leadership in 1989 -- even through the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a report.

US President Donald Trump has for the first time involved the country's top military officials in key negotiations with Iran and Russia.

PM set to give Trump latest intel; Tehran's atomic chief floats downblending near-weapons-grade nuclear material in exchange for sanctions relief; Khamenei calls for national 'resolve' The post Iran steps up arrests,

American warships now crowding the waters around Iran sit at the intersection of diplomacy and danger, where a single misread signal could matter more than any order from Washington. President Donald Trump may want leverage without war,

Iran has drawn a clear red line. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will never give up uranium enrichment, even if war is imposed. Speaking after indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Oman,