Thousands of people have been gathering along Washington's Tidal Basin to take in the sights of the city's famed cherry blossom trees in peak bloom.

The U.S. said it had instructed the families of its diplomats to leave Kiev on Sunday, the same day Ukraine said it had received a second batch of American weapons to boost its defense amid an alleged threat of Russian military invasion.

President said, “Based on the enemies’ calculations, no country could tolerate their inclusive sanctions for six months, but our people’s strong faith and high cause disrupted the enemies’ calculations”.

A dangerous, insidious public relations campaign has begun to prepare Western public opinion for economic and military intervention in Iran.