WAR between the US and Iran has never been closer but Tehran won't back down, a former British ambassador has warned.
The chilling warning comes as tensions between Iran and allied US and Irael reach boiling point.
Sir Richard Dalton described the situation as “the most dangerous it has ever been”.
In an interview with BBC Newsnight Sir Richard said: “The risk of a war between Israel and the on the one hand and Iran on the other has never been higher.”
He added that Tehran views any talks with the US as a test of President Trump's seriousness.
He said: “The Americans appear to want a very rapid progress towards a surrender by Iran on three fronts.
“Iran’s not in the market for a surrender. They would be in the market for a serious negotiation.”
Sir Richard warned: “If they have discounted Iran’s capacity to retaliate, I believe they’re making a big mistake.
“Missiles and would be directed against American facilities in the region.
“It would cause massive disruption of oil trade out of the Gulf... and might mean what was intended to be a short, sharp strike turns into a protracted conflict.”;
Sir Richard served as the UK's envoy to Tehran from 2003 to 2006.
The former ambassador's harrowing warning comes after on Thursday.
Maria Zakharova, from ‘s foreign ministry, said: “The use of military force by Iran's opponents in the context of the settlement is illegal and unacceptable.
“Threats from outside to bomb ‘s nuclear infrastructure facilities will inevitably lead to an irreversible global catastrophe. These threats are simply unacceptable.”
Tensions between Iran and allied US and Israel have been building up to boiling point.
The feuding powers have traded intensifying threats of destruction – leaving Trump and Netanyahu no choice but to .
said the US would be having direct talks with Iran on Saturday.
The US President didn't hold back and said Iran was in “dangerous territory” if the Ayatollah doesn't cut a deal.
Trump said: “We're having direct talks withIran. Everyone agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious.
“The obvious is not something I want to be involved with, or that Israel wants to be involved with if they can avoid it.”
He added: “If the talks aren't successful, Iran is going to be in great danger. Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. It will be a very dangerous day for Iran.”
Netanyahu visitedthe White Houseon Monday after a surprise invitation from Trump to discuss the attacks on Iran.
The Israeli Prime Minister believes he has the independent ability to effectively strike Iran's nuclear program – but has teamed up with Trump just to make sure.
The US is thought to have delivered an “advanced missile defence system” to Israel ahead of Netanyahu's visit.
A number ofB-2 Spirit bombers, which can be armed with , have also been sent to the Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia – which is in range of Iran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has defiantly refused to engage in direct negotiations — triggering fury inWashington.
Instead Iran wants to – a longtime channel for messages between the rival states.
They said: “Indirect talks offer a chance to evaluate‘s seriousness about a political solution with Iran.”
Last week, the US and Israel launched aagainst pro-Iranian forces in neighbouring countries.
Houthi targets in Yemen and the new regime inSyriawere battered with airstrikes.
Iran has placed its military on full alert, preparing for what state-aligned media claims could be a “devastating”; US-Israeli strike.
The c to Iraq,, theUAE,,and Bahrain, warning that any support for a US attack onIranwould be seen an act of hostility.
The already explosive backdrop is further intensified by fresh US intelligence on Iranian threats to assassinate Trump — a plot allegedly linked to revenge for the 2020 drone strike on IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani.
Trump has warned: “I’ve left instructions — if they do it, they get obliterated, there won’t be anything left.”;
