March 27 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday discussed the possibility of a diplomatic settlement in the Iran war with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, Lavrov's ministry said.

Experts say Iran's cheap drones and missiles are depleting allied interceptor stockpiles, raising questions about long-term air defense sustainability.

The authorities have made a wave of arrests to stop people posting footage of strikes, citing security risks. Experts also see a fear of damage to the countries’ image as safe havens.

Iranian state media reported that "explosive packages" slightly larger than tuna cans had been dropped by aircraft over the area. U.S. Central Command declined to comment.

Follow NBC News for live updates on the latest about the war with Iran, peace talks, the energy crisis and a possible U.S. ground operation.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revealed that Iran could have hit Washington, D.C., and other U.S. cities through proxies in Venezuela had the Trump administration not intervened.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the war would be over in a matter of weeks as he left a Group of 7 meeting in France. Tehran moved to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The US president's commitment to deadlines is fluid but he uses them for a purpose, writes the BBC's James Landale.