Donald Trump has approved plans to attack Iran, but has not made a final decision on whether to strike the country. The US president held off from initiating strikes in case Iran agreed to abandon its nuclear programme, as of senior intelligence sources. Trump is reportedly considering a US strike on Fordo, an underground uranium enrichment facility in Iran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected Trump's demand for unconditional surrender, as the US president said his patience had run out. Trump said, "I may do it, I may not do it", when asked a question about US involvement in Iran. Khamenei rebuked Trump in a recorded speech, saying that "any US military intervention" would be costly and added: "The Iranian nation will not surrender."
Trump brushed off the rejection, saying "good luck", but again declined to disclose his plans. "I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do," he said.
Israel's military launched more attacks on Iran, hitting missile sites and nuclear facilities. Iran said it had fired hypersonic missiles in response. No serious damage was reported in Israel.
The war of words came as Iranians continued to jam roads out of the capital Tehran, a city of 10 million people, seeking sanctuary from Israeli attacks.
Pete Hegseth, Trump's defence secretary, told a Senate committee that the Pentagon was prepared to execute any order given by Trump.
His comments came amid a build-up of American forces in the Middle East. A carrier strike group led by the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier was steaming from south-east Asia to join another strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson, already in the Gulf.
Various air assets including refuelling tankers were also seen on flight trackers moving from Europe, with reports of F-22 and F-35 strike aircraft following.
The US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Washington DC today, for talks expected to focus on Iran.
