Middle East on edge as Iran claims US plans renewed bombing campaign

Middle East governments are bracing for an escalation of violence after Iran claimed it had intelligence that the US is preparing a renewed bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic. Tensions have risen following Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. US President Donald Trump has said he is considering "wiping Iran out" among other options, and cut short a weekend visit to Camp David with no official explanation. The State Department issued a security alert to US citizens in the region, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of "continuous, effective and painful attacks" on US bases if struck. The Houthi barrage on Saturday targeted Riyadh's Aramco oil facilities and the port of Yanbu, marking the first such sustained attack since a ceasefire broke down in June. Trump is due to meet Gulf Cooperation Council states at the UN general assembly this week, and has also expressed openness to meeting Iran's president.