US set to send airborne troops to Middle East as Trump claims talks with Iran taking place

Israel and Gulf states targeted by Iran while Tehran denies any negotiations with US to end war

Middle East crisis – live updates

The US is poised to deploy airborne troops to the Middle East as strikes intensified on Tuesday, signalling that it may consider boots on the ground despite Donald Trump’s claims of “very good” talks with Iran, as it was reported that the US president had delivered a 15-point negotiation plan to Iran via Pakistan.

Early on Wednesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched a new wave of attacks against locations in Israel including Tel Aviv and Kiryat Shmona, as well as US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. Drones hit a fuel tank and sparked a fire at Kuwait international airport, the Gulf state’s civil aviation authority said.