Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya speaks to journalists in Moscow. Picture: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

“I’m ready to clarify the situation behind this mass hysteria — but only through lawyers or testifying in the Senate,” Natalia Veselnitskaya told Kremlin-backed RT TV channel.

Donald Trump Jr, President Trump’s oldest son, agreed to meet with Veselnitskaya because she promised she had dirt on Hillary Clinton that would be advantageous for his father’s presidential campaign.

Donald Trump Jr is interviewed by host Sean Hannity on his Fox News Channel television program. Picture: Richard Drew/APSource:AP

She told RT that her sole intent was to discuss a controversial adoption policy during the Trump Tower meeting and denied that she has any ties to the Kremlin.

“If the Senate wishes to hear the real story, I will be happy to speak up and share everything I wanted to tell Mr Trump,” she said.

Mr Trump Jr had been told by email that a “Russian government lawyer” would provide damaging details. Mr Trump’s campaign manager Paul Manafort and son-in-law Jared Kushner also attended.

President Trump’s oldest son agreed to meet with a Russian lawyer who promised she had dirt on Hillary Clinton (left) that would be advantageous to Mr Trump’s presidential campaign. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Ms Veselnitskaya has rejected claims that she was working on behalf of the Russian government, while Mr Trump Jr insists that no sensitive information was passed on.

In an interview with the Kremlin-controlled RT television channel, Ms Veselnitskaya said she was “ready” to speak to the US Congress about the meeting “if my security can be assured”.

The firestorm around the meeting is the latest chapter in the scandal over possible ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

The latest revelations come after it emerged on Tuesday that Mr Trump had another, previously undisclosed conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Germany this month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied meddling in the US election. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

White House spokesman Sean Spicer and National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton confirmed that Mr Trump and Mr Putin spoke at a dinner for world leaders and their spouses at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. The conversation came hours after the two leader’s first official face-to-face meeting on July 7, which was originally scheduled to last just half an hour but stretched on for more than two.

According to a report in the Washington Post, Mr Trump approached Mr Putin alone, and the Russian leader was attended only by his official interpreter.

The pair were also captured on video shaking hands and exchanging a few words after they arrived at the G20 summit of industrialised and developing nations earlier that day. Mr Anton would not specify the duration of the conversation.

Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer at the centre of the Russia scandal, speaks to journalists in Moscow. Picture: Alexander Zemlianichenko/APSource:AP

On Wednesday Mr Trump attempted to dismiss news of the informal meeting as “sick”.

“Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is “sick.” All G 20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany. Press knew!” he tweeted early Wednesday.

US intelligence agencies have accused Mr Putin of approving a hacking and influence campaign to sway the November 2016 vote, allegations rejected by the Kremlin.

Mr Trump’s administration is currently under investigation by both Congress and the FBI over any possible collusion.

IRAN VOWS TO STAND UP TO TRUMP

Iran’s president said on Wednesday that his country will stand up to the United States and reciprocate for any new sanctions that America imposes on the Islamic Republic.

Hassan Rouhani’s remarks came a day after the Trump administration announced new, non-nuclear sanctions on Iranians while at the same time warning Tehran that it would face consequences for breaching “the spirit” of the nuclear deal with world powers.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani chairing a cabinet meeting in Tehran. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

The new sanctions, perceived as the latest attempt to clamp down on Iran’s military financing, target 18 Iranian individuals and groups, ranging from an Iranian-based company accused of aiding the country’s drone program to a Turkey- based provider of naval equipment and a China-based network that helped secure electronics for Tehran.

If Washington, under any pretext, imposes new sanctions against Iran, “we will stand up to the United States,” Rouhani said, adding that the “great nation of Iran will have an appropriate answer” and that the Iranian parliament will also act.

President Donald Trump’s administration has announced new sanctions on Iran. Picture: Carolyn Kaster/APSource:AP

He did not elaborate. His speech, at a weekly cabinet meeting, was broadcast on state TV.

Rouhani, a 68-year-old cleric and political moderate who secured a resounding re-election over a hard-line opponent in May, has been increasingly outspoken against the U.S., calling relations with Washington “a curvy road” even as he touted the 2015 nuclear accord Iran secured with world powers. The Trump administration on Monday confirmed that Iran had met its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal but warned the country it would face consequences for breaching “the spirit” of the accord — a reference to Iran’s continued pursued of a ballistic missile program.