Norway relocating some troops from Middle East over security concerns

An Iranian lawmaker said Iran could target the United States itself in the event of war and warned that even “Trump’s own palace” could be hit.

Amir Hayat Moghaddam, a member of parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, told Didban Iran that while Tehran’s strategy was not to start a war, it was fully prepared to respond if attacked.

“If the Americans attack, we will immediately give a crushing response,” he said, adding that Iran could sink a US warship in the Sea of Oman, strike US bases in the region and harm American forces “whether soldier, officer or general.”

“In case of war, our attacks may not remain limited to the Middle East. We can target America itself … You might one day see Trump’s own palace hit,” he said.

Iran’s air force said one of its aircraft crashed during a night training mission in Hamedan province on Thursday evening, killing one pilot.

The public relations office of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force said Mehdi Firoozmand was killed in the incident and that the second pilot survived. It said the cause of the accident is under investigation.

Some media outlets reported the aircraft was an F-4 fighter jet that went down during a night training flight.

Israel sees no “airtight solution” to the threat posed by Iran’s expanding ballistic missile arsenal, the Ynet news site reported on Friday, citing defense officials.

According to Ynet, officials estimate Iran could possess at least 5,000 ballistic missiles by the end of 2027 and is producing about 100 per month, with output expected to rise.

The report said Israeli officials believe even layered air defense systems, including Arrow, David’s Sling and Iron Dome, cannot fully prevent damage from sustained, large-scale barrages.

Ynet said officials are coordinating with the United States and warned that Iran’s missile buildup poses a broader regional risk, including to US bases and allies.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is facing what Reuters described as “the gravest crisis of his 36-year rule,” as his envoys race to avert threatened US airstrikes through ongoing talks and an embittered population struggles under a sanctions-hit economy and deadly unrest.

Reuters said the 86-year-old has crushed internal unrest, sidelined rivals and built regional alliances to challenge the West, and that his “fierce devotion to the Islamic Republic” and implacable hostility to the United States would shape Iran’s response as tensions rise.

The profile said Khamenei’s record of guile in prolonging negotiations and his control over all branches of government have helped him survive past foreign pressure while maintaining ultimate authority.

An Iranian lawmaker said the presence of US warships near Iran does not necessarily mean war is imminent and downplayed public concern.

Salar Velayatmadar, a member of parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, said concern about war was limited to a small part of society who, in his words, listen more to “enemy media.”

He also said the presence of the CENTCOM commander at talks was a publicity move and added: “If necessary, the Islamic Republic has the ability to target bases within range.”