The United States stepped up preparations for possible military action against Iran last night as the regime pleaded for peace talks.
Drones were deployed to survey Iran’s defences, as another US ship entered the region and refuelling aircraft left bases in the mainland US for Europe.
International diplomacy efforts were intensified last night in a bid to convince Iran to agreed to concessions.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to hold negotiations with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan today, intended to prevent regional conflict.
Donald Trump has told the regime to abandon its nuclear ambitions, reduce its ballistic missiles and end support for proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
The US President said that a ‘beautiful armada’ is sailing towards Iran.
A US Navy MQ-4C drone was operating over the Gulf near the coast of Iran, according to flight-tracking data. The MC-4C – an unmanned surveillance drone – left an Abu Dhabi base and was observed over the Strait of Hormuz.
A US P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft was also seen, while another warship, the USS Delbert D Black, was tracked through the Suez Canal towards the Gulf.
There are now at least ten US warships in the Middle East, including aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
The warship, which can carry 90 aircraft, has not been seen because it has switched off its transponders.
In a show of strength, Iran’s armed forces will start live-firing exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1.
Iran also hit back yesterday saying the EU is ‘fanning the flames’ after the bloc proscribed the country’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. The UK is now set to follow suit.
Weeks ago Mr Trump appeared ready to order air strikes but changed his mind after appeals by Saudi Arabia.
