Iran vows to inflict 'crushing' attacks on US and its allies as Trump told 'bring it on' by Iranian parliamentary speaker
Iran has promised to inflict 'crushing' attacks on the United States and its allies - as even Nigel Farage questioned why his friend Donald Trump was waging war in the Middle East.In an impassioned social media post, the Iranian parliamentary speaker met US threats by telling President Trump: 'Bring it on.'Mohammad Ghalibaf, a veteran of Iran's war with Iraq in the 1980s, said seven million Iranians had already volunteered to fight for their country.Those troops could be called into action if Mr Trump decides to launch ground assaults on Iranian territory.Iran's taunts came as new polling shoved the conflict is increasingly unpopular in the US amid rocketing petrol prices and fertiliser shortages.Ghalibaf said: 'When I was 18 years old I grabbed my rifle and defended the soil of my beloved Iran. We are not warmongers but, when the time comes to defend our homeland, every last one of us becomes a soldier.'In less than a week a campaign has brought forward around seven million Iranians who have declared they're ready to pick up arms.'Let me tell you something straight from the gut. Iranians don't just talk about defending their country, we bleed for it. Strikes included the country's tallest bridge, the 446ft-high B1 bridge in Karaj. The B1 was part of a major highway construction and was not a military target Deputy govenor in the province, Ghodratollah Seyf, said eight people were killed and 95 injured in what he called a 'horrific crime''We've done it before and we're ready to do it again. You come for our home, you're gonna meet the whole family. Locked, loaded and standing tall. Bring it on.'Ghalibaf was responding to a much-anticipated national address by Mr Trump that indicated he is still unsure whether to order US 'boots on the ground.'Oil prices spiked and stocks sank yesterday after the US President reiterated that American forces would hammer Iran for another two to three weeks, but offered no solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has crippled global markets.Last night Iran's military spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said the Strait will be closed 'long term' to both the US and Israel.Meanwhile, Mr Trump's ally, Reform leader Nigel Farage, questioned his motivation.Mr Farage initially supported greater UK involvement before changing his position.He said of Trump: 'It is difficult to work out from the press conferences sometimes. OK, Israeli encouragement, I understand that.What persuaded Trump to do it? What was the key motivation? If the goal of removing Iran as a nuclear power is achieved the world will have been done a - massive favour, even if there are some big short-term costs.'Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called on President Trump not to walk away but instead to adopt the mantra of 'if you break it, you own it.'Last night Iran made good on Ghalibaf's pledge, firing missiles into Israel, attacking a US base in Jordan, firing missiles and drones into Kuwait and Qatar, targeting a computing centre in Bahrain and by maintaining disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.British forces in northern Iraq have also been forced to shoot down more Iranian drones. UK politicians are increasingly frustrated as Mr Trump drags out the conflict, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves saying she was 'angry' with him for starting the war.Yesterday Austria followed France, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria in denying its airspace to US military aircraft. But US tankbuster' warplanes were spotted taking off from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.Strikes included the country's tallest bridge, the 446ft-high B1 bridge in Karaj. The B1 was part of a major highway construction and was not a military target. Neither was the Pasteur Institute, a century-old medical hub in Tehran.Mr Trump shared a video of the bridge being detonated on Truth Social, boasting: 'The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down. Much more to follow! It is time for Iran to make a deal before there is nothing left of what still could become a great country!Deputy govenor in the province, Ghodratollah Seyf, said eight people were killed and 95 injured in what he called a 'horrific crime.' After the smoke dissipated a large gap could be seen in the bridge.Gulf states were said to be getting annoyed at the US's failure to think through its military choices.
