'Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,' Donald Trump warns Iran

Donald Trump has laid out a grave new threat to Iran, suggesting the US could take major action today.

In a Truth Social post which hitting back at the "failing" New York Times's coverage of the conflict, Mr Trump declared the US was "totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran".

He said it was a "great honour" to kill the Islamic Republic's leadership and forces - and told the world: "Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.

His social media post in full read: "We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise, yet, if you read the failing New York Times, you would incorrectly think that we are not winning.

"Iran's navy is gone, their air force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth.

"We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.

"They've been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them.

"What a great honour it is to do so!"

His deadly threat came amid a desperate search for as many as six American service personnel after a US military plane crashed over Iraq.

An Iran-backed terror group claimed to have shot down a KC-135 refuelling aircraft in a statement on Friday morning.

It also followed his assessment of reports that Iran's new Ayatollah may be wounded or even in a coma.

Mojtaba Khamenei is "probably" alive but "damaged", the President said.

More to follow...