US–Iran war LIVE: Trump says ‘watch what happens today’; sirens heard at Turkey NATO base

Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Iran on Friday, posting on Truth Social: “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.”

The US president claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened. “Iran’s navy is gone, their air force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth,” he wrote.

“They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!” he added.

US aircraft goes down in Iraq

Meanwhile, a US military KC-135 Stratotanker went down in Iraq on Thursday, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

Rescue operations have been launched to locate the aircraft and its crew. CENTCOM said two aircraft were involved in the incident during movements linked to “Operation Epic Fury.” One aircraft crashed in western Iraq, while the second landed safely.

Iran’s new supreme leader vows to fight

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public remarks on Thursday, pledging to continue the war and warning Gulf Arab states of further consequences. He also threatened to open “other fronts” in a conflict that has already disrupted global energy supplies, the world economy and international travel.

The remarks came as Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military operations were creating conditions for Iranians to overthrow their government.

“It is in your hands,” the Israel prime minister said, addressing the Iranian public at a news conference. “We are creating the optimal conditions for the fall of the regime.”

According to the US-based monitoring group Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), US and Israeli strikes have targeted security checkpoints across Iran since the war began in an effort to weaken the government’s ability to suppress dissent.

Saudi Arabia intercepts drones

Saudi Arabia said its defence forces intercepted multiple drones entering its airspace on Friday amid Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries following US-Israeli strikes.

A defence ministry spokesperson said 12 drones were destroyed after entering Saudi airspace, while at least 16 others were also shot down.

Oil prices fall

Global oil prices fell on Friday after the United States issued a 30-day licence allowing countries to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, easing supply concerns.

Brent crude futures dropped 71 cents, or 0.71%, to $99.75 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude fell 88 cents, or 0.92%, to $94.85.