Iran latest: Tehran strikes against Kurds amid reports of US deal

Iran has attacked Kurdish militia bases amid reports that the US is planning to arm the groups to lead uprisings against the government.

Washington hopes to use Kurdish fighters based along the western border with Iraq as a proxy force to support opposition movements to overthrow the Islamic ruling structures.

With this in mind, US and Israeli attacks have targeted police stations and border infrastructure. However, the Kurds are traditionally lightly armed and would lack the firepower to take on the Iranian army without support from foreign militaries. Additionally, their geographic presence is limited, so other ethnic groups would need to be involved to achieve national impact.

• Almost 100 sailors are said to have died after the US torpedoed an Iranian warship in international waters of Sri Lanka. Iran says the vessel received no warning and was a guest of the Indian navy.
• Iran has hit an oil tanker of the coast of Kuwait which is leaking its cargo into the Gulf. 
• Israel is stepping up attacks on Hezbollah forces in Lebanon
• Both the US and Iran have dismissed claims that weapons stockpiles are diminished as strikes continue across the region.