Scores of extra warplanes have been deployed to the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs up whether to launch full-scale war on Iran.
Sources have told the Mirror either he will give the order to attack Tehran in no-holds barred strikes or he may consider a ten-day brokered ceasefire. It is believed President Trump is pivoting towards more warfare and is losing patience with the Iranians, whilst he believes the US can force them back to the table.
Additional squadrons deployed
Extra squadrons of F-35A fighters and F-15's have been flown from their US base at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to make ready for the attack. And two squadrons of F-16s, one from their Aviano Air base in Italy and the other from Spangdahlem US base in Germany have moved into position. In the past 24 hours the US has launched a ninth night of devastating air-strikes on Iran targeting Chinese supplied air defences and triggering explosions throughout the country.
A UK source said: "It seems US President Trump rejected a proposal from Pakistan and Qatar for a ten-day ceasefire with Iran. But that could change."
Israel likely to join assault
Sources told the Mirror Israel is likely to join a full-assault on Iran, with the possibility of a temporary ground incursion onto Iran's Kharg Island to guard the Strait of Hormuz. One security source told the Daily Mirror a limited ground operation onto Kharg Island is a "likely scenario" and Iran has been preparing for the possibility. But the Mirror has also learned Trump is likely to frame an escalation as needed in order to destroy Iran's remaining nuclear materiel which it has hidden.
Another source, in the UK, told the Mirror: "Israeli intelligence estimates reviewed by the US indicate that Iran transferred thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges into tunnels beneath 'Pickaxe Mountain' last year after the initial 12 day war. It appears it was put deep beneath the ground so it is very difficult to get munitions to penetrate deep enough to destroy it. The building of this complex was started in 2020 as backup in case of all-out war and the Iranians needed to store its nuclear materiel."
Concerns over depleted stocks
President Trump has already announced: "Pickaxe Mountain is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right through the front door." But it was not previously known exactly what was being stored there. But there are fears amongst US military insiders that an extended war in Iran cannot be sustained as America has hugely depleted its missile and defence stocks. Some of the reinforcement warplanes are still carrying Operation Epic Fury insignia from previous action on Iran a few months ago after taking part.
US bases in northern and central Iraq are preparing air defences as the pro-Iranian Islamic resistance of Iraq says it will attack if the US steps up its air campaign. Several hundred UK troops are believed to be based in northern Iraq, where the RAF Regiment has positioned troops armed with the Rapid Sentry air defence system. At one stage after the war broke out in February this year UK forces were bringing down almost 30 missiles and drones every day in northern Iraq.
