{"text":[[{"start":18.55,"text":"The US, the UK and other powers put diplomats and citizens in the Middle East on alert on Friday, ordering some to leave their positions amid fears that a Trump administration attack on Iran could spiral into a regional conflict."}],[{"start":34.8,"text":"The US embassy in Jerusalem told non-emergency staff and family members that they could leave Israel on a day when oil prices rose as much as 3 per cent, spurred by worries about an imminent attack on Tehran."}],[{"start":48.54,"text":"“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the US embassy said."}],[{"start":56.769999999999996,"text":"Canada urged its citizens to leave Iran, warning that “hostilities in the region could resume with little or no warning”. China, India and Poland have issued similar directives. The UK on Friday withdrew its staff from its embassy in Tehran “due to the security situation”, with British officials saying US military action could be “imminent”."}],[{"start":79.25999999999999,"text":"The possibility of a US attack has raised questions about whether Britain would allow President Donald Trump to use UK bases, including the joint Indian Ocean facility at Diego Garcia. "}],[{"start":93.25999999999999,"text":"A person familiar with the situation said Washington and London were discussing whether the UK would allow the US to use British bases in any such strike on Iran."}],[{"start":103.19,"text":"The discussions come as tensions rise across the Middle East, with Trump ordering the largest American military build-up in the region since the Iraq war in 2003 and threatening to launch strikes on Iran if it does not agree to a deal over its nuclear programme."}],[{"start":121.87,"text":"Speaking during a trip to Corpus Christi, Texas on Friday, Trump said Iran “want[s] to make a deal” but he said it had to be “meaningful”."}],[{"start":132.16,"text":"“I’d rather do it the peaceful way but they are very difficult people . . . dangerous people,” the US president said. "}],[{"start":140.1,"text":"Earlier in the day, Trump said no “final decision” had been made on potential military action but warned: “We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons.” "}],[{"start":153.5,"text":"“I’d love not to use [military force] but sometimes you have to,” he said, adding that talks were continuing on Friday. "}],[{"start":161.6,"text":"Trump also acknowledged “there’s always a risk” of a drawn-out conflict in the region."}],[{"start":168.07999999999998,"text":"From Texas later on Friday, the president said he would not allow any uranium enrichment. “I say no enrichment, not 20 per cent, 30 per cent.” "}],[{"start":178.96999999999997,"text":"Trump declined to say whether he was close to making a decision on a strike. The regime “should make a deal”, he said."}],[{"start":188.10999999999996,"text":"The US on Friday also designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention and called on Tehran to release Americans “unjustly” held by the regime."}],[{"start":199.38999999999996,"text":"The Gerald R Ford, the US’s largest and newest aircraft carrier, was approaching Israel’s Mediterranean coast on Friday. Its strike group includes three destroyers, thousands of troops and dozens of aircraft."}],[{"start":215.21999999999997,"text":"Tehran has threatened to retaliate against American bases across the region if it is attacked, sparking fears of a broader confrontation that could draw in Israel, which fought a 12-day war with Iran last year."}],[{"start":null,"text":"
"}],[{"start":null,"text":"