An Iranian who plotted to assassinate Donald Trump has been “hunted down and killed”, the US Secretary of War has claimed.
Pete Hegseth told press US forces had killed the head of the unit that was attempting to kill the President.
“The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed,” he said.
“Iran tried to kill President Trump. And President Trump got the last laugh.
The Defense Secretary did not name the individual who was responsible for the failed plot.
“We’ve known for a long time that Iran had intentions on trying to kill President Trump and or other U.S. officials,” he continued.
“And while that was not the focus of the effort by any stretch of the imagination, in fact, never raised by the president or anybody else, I ensured, and others ensured that those who were responsible for that were eventually part of the target list.”
Earlier in the press conference, Mr Hegseth had praised the “incredible” results of the latest round of strikes in Tehran, noting how an Iranian warship had been sunk with a torpedo by a US submarine.
“We are only four days into this, and the results have been incredible, historic really…only the United States of America could lead this,” he said.
“I stand before you today with one unmistakable message about Operation Eric Fury– America is winning decisively, devastatingly and without mercy. They are toast, and they know it.”
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Iran were left ‘no choice’ in responding to US-Israeli strikes, says President Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian | GETTY
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has addressed his neighbouring countries in the Gulf, claiming they had “no choice” but to respond to US-Israeli strikes.
US strikes began on February 28. Since then, Iran have launched a gluttony of strikes across the region, targeting both US military bases and civilian infrastructure in United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
In a post on X, President Pezeshkian said: “Heads of friendly and neighboring states, we have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves.
“We respect your sovereignty, and we believe that the security and stability of the region must be achieved through the collective efforts of its states.”
WATCH: Department of Defense release footage showing the sinking of an Iranian warship
Labour confirm Iran ambassador has been summoned
The UK has summoned the Iranian ambassador, Foreign Office minister Chris Elmore told the Commons this afternoon.
Mr Elmore confirmed this took place at around 3pm on Wednesday.
“I can confirm to the house that the Middle East Minister has just finished summoning the Iranian ambassador,” he told the Commons.
Turkey summons Iranian ambassador after missile detected
Turkey has summoned Iran’s ambassador in protest after an Iranian ballistic missile was detected heading towards Turkish airspace.
A Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters the missile had been tracked after crossing Iraqi and Syrian airspace, and was intercepted before it reached Turkey. Nato air defence systems neutralised the threat.
Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, conveyed Turkey’s strong protest in a phone call with his counterpart, and is said to have urged him to avoid further escalating the conflict.
‘More bombers and fighters’ on the way, say US
The US have confirmed that “more bombers and fighters” are arriving on Wednesday, with strikes set to continue but target new locations.
“We will now begin to expand inland, striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory and creating additional freedom of maneuver for U.S. forces,” Gen Dan Cain said.
The goal is to ensure Iran can’t rebuild its military power, he stated, adding: “Iran’s theater ballistic missile shots fired are down 86 per cent from the first day of fighting, with a 23 per cent decrease just in the last 24 hours. And their one-way attack drone shots are down 73% from the opening days.”
He reiterated that things are “throttling up,” and the US is “staying ahead of the enemy.”
At least 80 confirmed dead after warship sinking near Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister has said at least 80 people were killed in a US submarine strike against the IRIS Dena, an Iranian warship.
It was earlier believed that 140 people were unaccounted for after the torpedo attack.
The deputy foreign minister said the Iranian warship was travelling back to Iran from a port in eastern India.
Sri Lanka, it is reported, has rescued 32 sailors from the incident.
Iran threatens Israeli embassies worldwide if they attack Beirut
An Iranian armed forces spokesman has said Iran will target Israeli embassies worldwide if it attacks the Islamic Republic’s embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
This comes after Israel has commenced a ground invasion on Lebanon yesterday.
Pete Hegseth confirms US Navy submarine responsible for Iranian vessel sinking near Sri Lanka
The US’s Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has confirmed it was a US submarine that torpedoed and sunk an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Currently 104 people are reported missing from the IRIS Dena, with 78 taken wounded.
This is the first time that a submarine has sunk a warship since the Falklands War in 1982, where the HMS Conqueror destroyed the Belgrano.
‘They are toast’ – US War Secretary briefs on Middle East conflict
Pete Hegseth conducts briefing on Iranian conflict so far
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GB NEWS
Pete Hegseth, US War Secretary, has said more forces are coming as “America is winning in Iran” and they are “just getting started”.
He said American strength remains “utterly dominant” over Iran, referring to the Islamic Republic as “toast”.
The war secretary continued by saying, “We are punching them while they are down”.
He continued by saying Israel and the US “will control Iran and will control it soon”.
‘Catching arrows instead of stopping the archer’ – Sir Keir Starmer is blasted in PMQs on Iran
Kemi Badenoch asked Sir Keir Starmer why the RAF cannot be deployed to assist allies caught up in the Iranian conflict.
Sir Keir replied: “We’ve got civilians and military personnel at risk in the region, we need to act therefore with clarity, with purpose, and with a cool head.
“The protection of UK nationals is our number one priority, and we’re taking action to reduce the threat with planes in the sky in the region”.
He claimed he was not satisfied for the “UK to join a war”.
The tory leader responded: “Iran is trying to kill our service men and women. He’s catching arrows instead of stopping the archer.
“Why is he asking our allies to do what we should be doing ourselves. We are in this war whether we like it or not”.
Navy in most ‘parlous state’ in 60 years, says its former chief
The Royal Navy is in the most “parlous state” it has been in for the last 60 years and fails to deliver on “what the nation needs”, Lord West of Spithead, former chief of the service, has said.
His comments add to the growing criticism of the UK’s lack of military presence in the Mediterranean, as HMS Dragon being prepared at Portsmouth harbour.
However, there are reports the navy vessel will not leave port until early next week due to its unpreparedness.
UK Government advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait
Given the increasing security risk in the region, the UK Government have updated their travel advice today for Kuwait, advising against all but essential travel to the country.
It cites “regional escalation” as the reason, advising people to “stay away from areas around security or military facilities”.
It further advises that if you judge it safe to leave Kuwait, the following land borders into Saudi Arabia are open:
Al Salmi / Ar – Ruqi Al Nuwaisib / Al-Khafji
Kuwait is situated at the head of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south.
PICTURED: Israeli military vehicles at the Lebanese border
An Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon has commenced after tensions hit boiling point between Hezbollah and Israel
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Reuters
No damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, says International Atomic Energy Agency
UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said today it’s seen no damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, along with no radiological release, based on available satellite imagery.
This update comes after the IAEA reported Iran’s nuclear enrichment facility in Nantaz suffered some damage yesterday, specifically around its entrance buildings to the underground plant.
PICTURED: The wounded from submarine attack on Iranian ship head to Sri Lankan hospital
An person injured in the Iranian ship attack is pushed into the National Hospital Galle in Sri Lanka
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REUTERS
A spokesman for the Sri Lankan navy said efforts were currently focused on rescuing those on board the vessel, with an investigation to follow once lifesaving operations are complete.
Reports claim the submarine involved, which struck the IRIS Dena, was US-owned and may represent only the second time a nuclear-powered submarine has sunk an enemy warship in combat.
According to initial figures, 101 people are reported missing following the attack, while a further 78 have been wounded.
Greek fighter jets made no interception in Cypriot airspace
Reports are coming in that Greek fighter jets made no interception in Cyprus, despite earlier reporting saying they had taken down a suspicious object, which was first detected near Lebanese airspace.
It is now reported that Greek fighter jets launched, but made no interception and returned back to base.
Strike reportedly targets Saudi Aramco refinery
A drone attack has attempted to hit Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery.
Saudi state news has reported that despite the attempt, there has been no impact on its supplies.
Ras Tanura is located on the eastern coast of the country and this is the second strike on its oil refinery, with Iranian drones striking the site on Monday.
UKMTO reports a tanker experienced loud blast and debris from unknown projectile
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported a tanker experienced a loud blast and debris as an unknown projectile, which was found on deck.
They have reported all crew as safe.
It is not yet known where this incident as occurred.
At least 101 people missing after Iranian ship hit near Sri Lanka
At least 101 people are missing after an Iranian ship was hit by a submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka, as well as 78 people taken wounded.
The Sri Lankan navy and defence ministry have reported that an Iranian ship, believed to be frigate IRIS Dena, has been attacked by a submarine.
This has left at least 101 people unaccounted for, with Sir Lankan authorities rescuing 78 wounded.
Greek fighter jets intercept suspicious object close to Cypriot airspace
Greek fighter jets, which were spotted over the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, have intercepted a suspicious object close to Cypriot airspace.
Earlier, there were reports Cyprus had closed its airspace due to detections of a suspect object near Lebanese airspace, but a government spokesman has since said the airspace was never closed.
This comes as the Greek navy vessels, “Kimon” and “Psara” arrive in the Cypriot port of Limassol.
Cypriot airspace not closed reports government spokesman
A Cypriot government spokesman has denied that Cyprus’s airspace was closed.
Konstantinos Letymbiotis wrote on X that the “airspace of the Republic of Cyprus was not closed at any time”.
Flights heading to Cyprus’s Larnaka airport were asked to “remain in holding patterns for a short period of time, in order to provide the necessary operational space”, however, the captain of one of the flights decided to return to Athens.
He concluded that the “airspace continues to operate normally”.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s eldest son survives attacks says Iranian sources
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the late Ayatollah’s eldest son
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REUTERS
Iranian sources have told Reuters that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late Ayatollah’s eldest son, has survived the assault on Iran, which killed his father, the then Supreme Leader of Iran, on Saturday.
Mojtaba Khamenei is seen as the prospective next Supreme Leader of Iran.
US embassy staff temporarily evacuated in Cypriot capital
US embassy staff were temporarily evacuated from their station in Nicosia, Cyprus’s capital, and taken to an underground basement.
They have since returned to the main building.
Also, Greek fighter jets have been spotted going over Cypriot capital.
This comes as Cyprus reportedly shut its airspace due to suspect object detected near Lebanese airspace.
PICTURED: HMS Dragon at Portsmouth harbour
HMS Dragon
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REUTERS
HMS Dragon has been pictured at Portsmouth harbour this morning after Sir Keir Starmer announced it would deploy the vessel to the eastern Mediterranean to support Cyprus.
However, there are reports the vessel will not leave the port until early next week as preparations need to be made.
Cyprus closes its airspace due to ‘suspicious object’ near Lebanon
Cyprus has shut its airspace as they detected a suspect object close to Lebanese airspace.
A government spokesman wrote on X: “A possible suspicious object has been detected in the airspace near Lebanon.
“For precautionary reasons, all appropriate measures have been taken by the competent authorities to investigate the incident and, if required, to address it.”
Spain’s Prime Minister hits out against President Trump after threats to cut trade
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has said the US “cannot play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions” as he denounced the attack on Iran this weekend.
Tensions between the two NATO allies have risen after President Trump threatened to halt trade with Spain after the country stopped the US from utilising its military bases to attack Iran.
In an address to the nation, Mr Sánchez said: “This is how humanity’s great disasters start … You cannot play Russian roulette with destiny of millions.”
PICTURED: Strikes hit Beirut as Hezbollah and Israel ramp up attacks
Beirut has been struck by Israel
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REUTERS
Israeli strikes have hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, as tensions have grown between them and Hezbollah, an Islamist Lebanese political party and paramilitary group, who is funded by Iran.
Oil prices rise 3% in response to Middle East crisis
Oil prices have risen by 3 per cent today as the war in Iran has caused major disruption in the region – particularly with the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, which around 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes through.
On top of this, Iranian retaliatory strikes against energy infrastructure in the region have impacted supply, as well as Iraq cutting output by nearly 1.5 million barrels a day – about half of its production.
Canada’s Prime Minister would welcome regime change in Iran
Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister has said he would “welcome a change of regime in Tehran”.
This comes after Mr Carney said that despite supporting the strikes in Iran, he does so “with regret”, referring to it as a “failure of international order”.
He was speaking to Australian reporters as he is in the country as part of his Indo-Pacific tour.
‘Trump is no Franklin D. Roosevelt either, is he?’ – Liberal Democrats deputy leader calls out US President on Iran
Speaking to GB News, Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats targeted her frustration over the Iran war at President Donald Trump, particularly after he said Sir Keir Starmer was no Sir Winston Churchill.
She said: “Trump is no Franklin D. Roosevelt either, is he?”
“It’s Donald Trump who is trashing the special relationship.
“It’s Donald Trump who’s making the cost of living hard with his ridiculous tariff war.
“It’s Donald Trump who is causing chaos and death in the Middle-East through his illegal actions.”
Ms Cooper said the US President needed to take a “hard look in the mirror”.
She continued by voicing concerns around the Prime Minister’s definition of defensive and offensive action, arguing we may be on a “slippery slope” and how the UK is going to respond might require a vote in the House of Commons.
The Lib Dem deputy leader also said the UK’s “state of war readiness is not where it needs to be”, calling for £20billion investment in defence.
PICTURED: Israel launches strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs amid escalation with Hezbollah
Iran launches more than 40 missiles at US and Israeli targets
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has said it has launched over 40 missiles against US and Israeli targets.
The latest series of strikes marks Tehran’s 17th wave of attacks against assets linked to Washington and Tel Aviv.
Iran to hold huge funeral ceremony for dead Ayatollah this afternoon
Iran will hold a huge funeral procession and memorial ceremony for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this afternoon.
Mourners will gather at 6.30pm GMT at the Imam Khomeini prayer ground in Tehran – the capital city Israel has been bombing since Saturday.
The ceremony will last for three days and the funeral procession will be announced when it is finalised, Iranian state media said.
US authorises all non-essential personnel to leave Cyprus amid ‘safety risk’
All non-essential government personnel and their families have been authorised to leave Cyprus by the US amid the ongoing “safety risk”.
The US State Department announced the move after updating its travel advice for the Mediterranean island.
All Americans with plans to travel to Cyprus have been told to reconsider, with US citizens now being urged to evacuate over a dozen countries in the region.
RECAP: Tehran ‘names Ali Khamenei’s hardliner son as new Ayatollah – but country now faces US-backed civil war’
Iran has appointed the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, Iranian media has reported.
Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen by the country’s Assembly of Experts under pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), sources told Iran International.
Despite never holding a formal position within his father’s regime, it is widely believed he holds significant influence within the Islamic Republic’s political and security spheres.
He was also named by insiders as a potential target for a US strike in the days leading up to the war.
However, he could be faced with a bloody civil war within days after reports emerged that a CIA-backed fighting force within Iran could launch an armed uprising inside the country.
Weapons have allegedly been smuggled into the country since last year’s 12-day war to arm thousands of Kurdish volunteers, with the Trump administration said to have engaged in talks with leaders to discuss military support.
The Kurdish people are one of Iran’s largest ethnic minorities, with an estimated population between nine and 10 million.
Mullahs ‘too afraid to announce new Iranian Ayatollah out of fear the US and Israel will attack him’
Iran’s Mullahs are said to be too afraid to announce Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader
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Iran’s Mullahs are said to be too afraid to announce Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader over fears it may expose him as a target to the US and Israel.
The “Assembly of Experts”, according to Iran International, held two virtual meetings to decide on succession plans – after Israel bombed their planned meeting site in the city of Qum.
US pulls almost all government staff from Saudi Arabia after embassy attack and cruise missile run-in
The US has authorised the evacuation of all non-emergency government staff from Saudi Arabia after the American embassy came under attack and two cruise missiles were intercepted near Riyadh.
Similar measures were also given the green light for non-essential workers living in Oman.
A statement from the State Department said it had “updated the Travel Advisory for [these countries] to reflect the authorized departure of non-emergency US government personnel and family members of government personnel.”
The US embassies in Oman and Saudi Arabia have both urged citizens hoping to travel to the region to reconsider amid the ongoing conflict.
Donald Trump ‘trying to jump-start’ regime change with plot to arm Kurds
Donald Trump is “trying to jump-start” regime change in Iran with an alleged CIA plot to arm the US-allied Kurds.
Alex Plitsas. a former Pentagon official under Barack Obama, told CNN: “The Iranian people are generally unarmed as a whole and unless the security services collapse, it’ll be difficult for them to take over unless someone arms them.
“I believe the US is hopeful that this will inspire others on the ground in Iran to do the same.”
Weapons have allegedly been smuggled into the country by US-backed gun-runners since last year’s 12-day war to arm thousands of Kurdish volunteers – now poised to strike against the crumbling Islamic Republic.
Canadian PM appears to U-turn on backing US strikes
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appeared to U-turn on backing “Operation Epic Fury”.
He said the strikes now come with “regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order”.
He said the Canadian government’s official support was based on the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme and its human rights record – but criticized the US and Israel, which he said “have acted without engaging the United Nations or consulting with allies, including Canada”.
Mr Carney also stressed that Canada would not participate in any military action against Iran.
Iran’s next Supreme Leader ‘spent months in British hospitals undergoing impotency treatment’
The man set to become Iran’s next Supreme Leader spent months in private British hospitals being treated for impotency, US intelligence documents have revealed.
The classified memo, sent by the State Department to the US Embassy in London in 2008, noted that Mojtaba Khamenei was under pressure from his family to have children.
It details that the widely rumoured new Supreme Leader visited London for treatment on four occasions, including a two-month stint.
He married later in life “reportedly due to an impotency problem treated and eventually resolved during three extended visits to the UK”, US intelligence uncovered by WikiLeaks noted, according to the Mail.
The document reads: “Mojtaba was expected by his family to produce children quickly, but needed a fourth visit to the UK for medical treatment.
“After a stay of two months, his wife became pregnant. Back in Iran, a healthy boy was born, named Ali for his paternal grandfather.”
Reform UK donor reveals: ‘I still feel safer in Dubai than in Sadiq Khan’s London’ despite missile barrage
One of Reform UK’s biggest backers has said he feels “safer in Dubai than in Sadiq Khan’s London” – despite a barrage of rockets flying overhead.
Nick Candy, the party’s treasurer, said he feels “completely safe” while enjoying dinner at a restaurant near the beach.
Writing in the Daily Mail, he attributed the relative peace in the United Arab Emirates to their version of the Iron Dome – and called for Britain to develop the same technology.
First Government evacuation flight to rescue Britons from Middle East to depart today
The first Government-chartered flight to evacuate Britons from the Middle East is due to depart Muscat International Airport at 7pm this evening.
The Foreign Office said vulnerable people will be prioritised and British nationals in Oman will be contacted directly to arrange seats.
Officials have warned Britons not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted.
Girl, 11, dies in Kuwait after being hit by debris from ‘hostile aerial targets’
An 11-year-old girl has died after being hit by shrapnel from intercepted “hostile aerial targets”, Kuwait state media has reported.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the targets had been “detected and intercepted within Kuwaiti airspace early this morning”.
The resulting debris rained down on a residential building, with the child later dying “from injuries sustained when shrapnel fell”, with four of her family members now undergoing medical checks.
The Gulf state has intercepted hundreds of drones and missiles since the conflict began on Saturday.
Israel poised to strike Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon as evacuation warning issued
Israel is set to strike Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon after issuing an evacuation notice.
The IDF has told civilians to flee 16 villages in Israel’s northern neighbour – while troops are advancing across the two countries’ border in a land invasion similar to the one in 2024.
RAF uses missiles worth up to £2million to shoot down Iranian drones worth £25k
The RAF has come under fire after using air-to-air missiles worth up to £2million to shoot down Iranian drones worth just £25,000.
The approach has been slammed by military analysts who have compared it to “firing golden bullets at plastic targets”.
Iran has launched more than 2,000 suicide drones since the conflict erupted on Saturday morning – and the RAF has deployed Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets to intercept the barrage of aircraft.
More than 1,000 dead in Iran since conflict began, human rights group says
More than 1,000 people have been killed across Iran since the conflict began on Saturday morning, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has reported.
According to the group’s preliminary report, at least 1,097 people, including 181 children, have died as of Tuesday afternoon.
It also said that over 5,400 civilians have been injured in the war so far.
White House convenes urgent meeting with defence firms – despite Donald Trump’s claim of ‘virtually unlimited supply’ of weapons
The White House is set to convene an urgent meeting with executives from US defence firms in a bid to ramp up production and replenish American supplies.
“Operation Epic Fury” has so far drawn heavily on munitions, worsening American stockpiles depleted by aiding Ukraine and Israel against Russia and Hamas.
Billions of dollars of artillery systems, ammunition and anti-tank missiles have been used up – while the current conflict in Iran has consumed longer-range missiles than those given to Kyiv.
One source told Reuters the gathering will focus on pressing weapons makers to move faster to boost output.
But just days ago, the President said there was a “virtually unlimited supply” of US munitions – and that “wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies”.
REVEALED: Iran hit CIA complex at US embassy site in Saudi Arabia
A CIA complex was damaged in an Iranian attack on the US embassy in Saudi Arabia, US media reports.
Two drones struck the embassy compound in capital Riyadh – though it remains unclear whether the intelligence facility was the strike’s intended target.
Parts of the building were damaged and smoke spread inside the complex, prompting staff to shelter in place.
Donald Trump ‘does not care’ if Iran plays at World Cup
President Donald Trump has declared he “does not care” whether or not Iran takes part in this summer’s World Cup being held in North America.
The Islamic Republic’s side is due to play against Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles, before wrapping up the group stage with a tie against Egypt in Seattle.
He told Politico: “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
On Monday, the president of the Iranian football federation threatened to pull out of the “inappropriate” competition being held in the US, Canada and Mexico after Washington’s “vicious” wave of strikes.
No Iranian ships left in waters around country, US military says
American forces have destroyed 17 Iranian ships, including one submarine, in their bombing campaign so far, the US military has confirmed.
In a video posted to social media, US Central Command’s Brad Cooper said: “Today, there is not a single Iranian ship underway in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, or Gulf of Oman.”
He also revealed the US has hit almost 2,000 targets in Iran since the conflict broke out on Saturday morning.
The Islamic Republic has launched over 2,000 drones and 500 ballistic missiles in retaliatory attacks across the region.
Pentagon names and pictures four US troops killed in Iranian drone strike
LEFT TO RIGHT: Cody Khork, Declan Coady, Nicole Amor and Noah Tietjens
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REUTERS
The Pentagon has named and pictured four of six US troops who were killed in an Iranian drone strike.
Captain Cody Khork, 35, from Florida;Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, 42, from Nebraska;Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, 39, from Minnesota; Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, from Iowa.
The four all died in an Iranian attack on Port Shuaiba, in Kuwait, on Sunday.
CIA-backed Kurds ‘set to launch ground invasion within days’
The CIA is said to be working closely with Kurdish forces to mount an armed uprising inside Iran, sources have told CNN.
Thousands of weapons have allegedly been smuggled into the Middle Eastern country since the end of the 12-day war last year and ground invasion could be underway within days.
The Trump administration is said to have engaged in talks with Kurdish rebels and opposition voices within Iran in recent days.
Thousands of Kurdish fighters have been operating in Western Iran and along the Iraq-Iran border.
Kurds are one of the largest minority groups within the country, with a population estimated between nine to 10 million.