Trump's ultimatum to Iran will 'reshape the Middle East'

The coming weeks are likely to see heightened threats, more bellicose gestures by the Houthis and possibly what’s left of Hezbollah or groups in Syria and Iraq.

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Aircraft on the tarmac of Mauritius' US military base on Diego Garcia island. (Photo: Planet Labs PBC/AFP)

The United States does not move its stealth bombers around the world without purpose, but it has spared six B-2 Spirit strategic craft and moved them to Diego Garcia.

This secretive US-UK island base is a critical jump-off point in the Indo-Pacific region - more commonly known as the “footprint of freedom” within the American navy.

Just south of the equator, it lies in the centre of the Indian ocean 1,854 miles south of Somalia, and is being perceived as a huge gesture of intent towards Iran.

President Donald Trump says talks will get underway with Tehran regarding its long-running attempt to acquire nuclear weapons, in order to aid its bid for power in the Middle East.

The West says Iran has a clandestine agenda to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium to a high level of fissile purity, above what is needed for a civilian atomic energy program.

Just as sinister is Tehran’s stated desire to end Israel and its continued assistance to Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis and Iraqi militia groups - who all have Israel in their sights.