Ben Leo and his GB News panellists last night outlined six key reasons Iran may be heading for war - and shed light on a key link to Donald Trump's Chagos Islands attack.
Freddie Hayward, the New Statesman's US correspondent, and Matt Terrill, the former Chief of Staff to Marco Rubio, sat down with Ben on The Late Show Live to discuss growing fears of conflict in the Middle East.
Ben then outlined six developments fuelling fears of conflict between the US and Tehran:
First, President Trump has ordered a major show of force in the Middle East. The US has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford alongside additional warships and aircraft, positioning the military for sustained air and naval operations rather than limited strikes.
Second, US officials have briefed that any conflict would likely be a massive weeks-long campaign, not short targeted attacks.
Third, diplomatic talks have hit red lines. Direct negotiations in Geneva have stalled, with Vice President JD Vance saying that Iran is refusing to acknowledge US demands on uranium enrichment and its missile programme.
Fourth, satellite imagery published this week shows Iran fortifying and repairing key nuclear and missile sites.
Fifth, Iran is under growing internal pressure as well. Sanctions. High inflation, economic instability and protests have all fuelled unrest.
Sixth, Iran has temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire military drills, the first announced closure since the 1980s.
Mr Hayward's snap verdict on the six warnings: America is heading for war.
"I speak to people in Washington, and they certainly think that we are. The pressure's building," he said.
And Mr Terrill added a stark warning to the Iranians.
"They're about to find out what the Trump doctrine is all about: Mess around and find out. I think we could be days away from potential military action taking place here," he said.
WATCH THE FULL PANEL DISCUSSION ABOVE FOR MORE
