The US is "close to war" with Iran, and a conflict could begin "very soon", it has been reported. Axios is a US-based online news outlet that specialises in insider reporting from Washington and national security officials.

Senior American officials told Axios the White House is preparing for possible military action if nuclear negotiations with Tehran collapse. Sources said any strike would not be a limited raid but a large-scale campaign lasting weeks, likely carried out alongside Israel and targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, missile sites and key regime infrastructure.

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