There is widespread concern of an imminent attack on Iran amid reports that a US missile carrier has been placed on 72-hour standby. Last night President Donald Trump approved retaliatory military strikes against Iran before changing his mind, according to US media. Citing senior White House officials, the New York Times claimed strikes were planned against a “handful” of targets.
However, the threat of all-out war is not over yet with reports that a US missile-launching cruiser has been put on 72-hour standby to attack Iran.
A Pentagon official confirmed the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf has been mobilized for a possible strike.
The 72-hour standby alert suggests that a military strike could still take place in the next few days.
Earlier today, Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace division, said Iran had refrained from downing the P-8 jet, carrying 35 people.
This comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order yesterday evening prohibiting US airlines from operating in Tehran-controlled airspace.
Airlines from other countries, including Britain’s British Airways, the Dutch carrier KLM and Qantas of Australia, will also re-route their flights to avoid parts of Iran.
The crisis escalated yesterday after Iran shot down an American drone.
Tehran says the unmanned aircraft entered Iranian airspace early on Thursday morning.
However, the US maintains it was shot down in international airspace.
In response, President Trump “initially approved” a military operation to bomb Iranian targets.
An unnamed senior White Official said: “Planes were in the air and ships were in position, but no missiles had been fired when word came to stand down.”
Tensions have been escalating between the two countries, with the US recently blaming Iran for attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf.
Iran also announced it will soon exceed international agreed limits on its nuclear programme.