The figures vary from as few as 3,000 according to the regime in Tehran to over 32,000 reported by President Donald Trump.

Iran and the United States are sliding rapidly towards military conflict as hopes fade for a diplomatic solution to their standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme, officials on both sides and diplomats across the Gulf and Europe say.

Voters have been willing to tolerate previous military interventions like the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and last year’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, but have

In Tehran’s view, this is not just about forcing Iran back into nuclear compliance; it is about permanently altering the strategic equation that allowed it to strike Israel directly for the first time and suffer minimal consequences.

The Iranian leadership is weighing up whether resisting US demands is the best option for its survival.

Trump gives Iran 10-15 days to negotiate or face serious military consequences in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy standoff with Tehran regime officials.

Iran has put something unprecedented on the negotiating table with the United States as it tries to avoid war and save its nuclear enrichment programme.