Iran war fears erupt as hundreds of US soldiers relocate after Trump's strikes threat

 Fears a new conflict may erupt in the Middle East skyrocketed on Sunday, as it emerged hundreds of US military personnel had been relocated at a major military base in Qatar. Tensions between the US and Iran have been ramping up in recent weeks, as Donald Trump has been threatening Tehran to agree to a nuclear deal or face US strikes similar to those launched last summer to its nuclear facilities.

Now, hundreds of personnel has been relocated to a major military base in Qatar, US officials have told ABC, as fears a new strike may be carried out by Washington are increasing. The two countries continue to carry out negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme. Alongside those talks, however, the US has amassed a major military buildup in the Middle East, including aircraft carriers and fighter jets, with a total of forces in the region reportedly hitting the 35,000 mark.

This move comes as Mr Trump has been issuing a string of threat at the Iranian regime over the past few weeks.

In January, the US President warned a "massive armada" was heading to the Middle Eastern country, after telling protesters, who have been taking to the streets of Iran for weeks, to lament the economic situation of their nation, to stay strong in the face of the violent crackdown being carried out by police.

The US President has made clear to the regime that, should it not agree soon to a nuclear deal, more attacks along the lines of those launched last summer by US forces may be launched.

The US, Mr Trump said last week, "may have to take it a step further" on the matter of striking Iran, but he then added, "we may not."

Asked whether Iran will strike a deal or face military action, he said, speaking at the initial meeting of the US-led Board of Peace: "You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days." The USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier is currently in the Mediterranean Sea, and recently moved other military assets into the Middle East.

A military conflict would also impact the cost of oil. Iran accounts for less than 3% of global oil output, according to the EIA, but the country's sales of oil have been affected by sanctions. On Tuesday, in order to allow live fire military drills, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, which is a route that accounts for about 20% of the global oil supply.