The US has approved plans for a series of strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. It’s expected to target Iranian-backed militia groups and their facilities.
It’s said it must retaliate following a drone attack which killed 3 US troops in Jordan near the Syrian border and wounded dozens more.
The US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said it was a dangerous moment in the Middle East and the United States did not want to provoke a wider conflict. However he said the US must act to protect its forces and American interests.
The US has also announced sanctions against some Israeli settlers in the West Bank accused of violence against Palestinians.
Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith in Washington.
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