Welcome to our live coverage of US politics and the Iran war.
NATO said on Wednesday it was ready to “address any threat” following reports Iranian commanders had examined possible strikes if Donald Trump escalated the war further.
The Financial Times, citing two people close to Iran’s regime, reported that Tehran had considered targeting US assets in southeastern Europe.
With the US-Iran peace deal at sour stalemate, analysts now fear the conflict could to lurch into a more dangerous phase.
With a seemingly unshakeable blockade on its doorstep, Tehran is now reorganising its military leadership and openly discussing taking the fight to its enemies.
According to certain analysts, the diplomatic off-ramp might be disappearing.
Meanwhile, Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz de-mined and open for business.
“The Hormuz Strait is open and operating,” he said on Tuesday US time, as a 60 day period for negotiating with Iran came to an end with little progress made.
However, marine traffic through the waterway remains strained as despite Mr Trump’s insistence it is open, vessels continue to be attacked.
Read on for more updates