Iran agreed a secret €500mn arms deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles in its most significant effort to rebuild air defences shattered during last year’s war with Israel.

According to the report, anonymous sources said that NATO's increased surveillance reflects growing concerns about a potential military strike on Iran. The sources indicated that Turkey, a NATO member, is preparing for a scenario in which the US leads a strike against Iran.

It comes shortly after Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of failing to address core U.S. demands during nuclear talks in Geneva.

Iran is close to buying a supersonic missile from China that could destroy American aircraft carriers. Officials from the Islamic Republic are in advanced negotiations with Beijing to purchase the CM-302 cruise weapon, which is designed to damage warships, according to Reuters.

Defense expert Cameron Chell called Iran's military moves a "calculated escalation" as U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones with strike capabilities were reportedly spotted in the region.

Global tensions are reaching a boiling point as Vladimir Putin places nuclear weapons back at the center of world politics. In a stark address, Putin declared strengthening Russia’s nuclear triad an “absolute priority,

On Thursday 19, Russia and Iran combined naval forces to conduct joint exercises on the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. The two countries came together as a response to the US

China and Russia have forged closer ties with Tehran but have shown little willingness to provide military aid in a conflict with the U.S.