A British general serving in Iraq has rejected claims from the White House that coalition forces in the Middle East are facing an increased threat from Iran or its allies.

In recent days, Washington has responded to what it has claimed as a raised threat from Iran-backed militias to US and coalition forces fighting the remnants of Isis in Iraq and Syria, by dispatching an aircraft carrier, B-52 bombers and Patriot missiles. National security advisor John Bolton, a longtime advocate of regime change in Iran, has ordered up a proposal to immediately dispatch 120,000 US troops should Iran attack American forces.

[link to www.independent.co.uk (secure)]